Ex-Portsmouth and Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O'Neil gives verdict on EFL's 56-day plan to complete season

But the former Pompey midfielder wholeheartedly agreed that the campaign needs to be completed amid the coronavirus crisis.

Chairman Rick Parry has sent letters to all EFL clubs stating no training should resume until May 16.

The eight-week period would also include the play-offs, meaning clubs would play games twice per week.

O’Neil feels the time scale earmarked will be ‘difficult’ to stick to.

But while clubs in the National League and the top four divisions in Scotland are voting whether their respective fixtures are to be finished, the ex-Middlesbrough man stressed that can't be the case for Pompey's season.

Speaking to Sky Sports, O’Neil said: ‘I think it is going to be difficult.

‘We are running into a lot tighter schedule than I thought we would be.

‘I think everyone thought this (the coronavirus crisis) would pass and we would start coming out of it quicker, but it is a lot more serious than maybe we all thought to start with.

‘We need to get it finished somehow. Whether they (the EFL) can reduce that 56 days by playing the games a bit closer together, I just think the seasons have to be finished.

‘Next season can be adjusted whether you lose the league cup or lose parts of it by having fewer games.

‘We have to finish this one because it has started and it's only fair on everybody fighting for promotion, everybody fighting relegation and everybody who has financial implications in where they finish in the leagues that we get the season completed.

‘We worry about next season when this one is done and dusted.’

Pompey are firmly in the League One promotion race, sitting fourth and just two points outside the top two.