The key issues Portsmouth and their potential play-off rivals Oxford, Fleetwood and Wycombe will need answers to if season is curtailed

It’s expected a majority of third-tier clubs will choose to bring the 2019-20 campaign to a premature end amid the coronavirus.

As a result, league positions will be decided on a points-per-game (PPG) formula, with promotion and relegation still applying.

That will mean a return to action for Pompey, as they’ll finish fifth in the table – under the league’s preferred unweighted PPG model – and enter a traditional four-team play-off.

They’ll face Oxford in the semi-finals before meeting either Wycombe or Fleetwood in the final. The triumphant side will then join Coventry and Rotherham in the Championship.

But despite an apparent path forward for the Blues, many questions remain unanswered at this point.

We take a look at some of those key issues.

Training

After all players and staff tested negative for Covid-19 at the weekend, Pompey will now target moving to phase two of the government’s return to training guidance for elite sport, which will allow for close contact at their Hilsea training base.

Members of the Blues’ squad have already been training in small groups, with social distancing being kept at all times.

Meanwhile, players and staff will also be tested twice per week as the clock ticks down on a return to action.

However, the Blues are still some way short of the match sharpness required to compete on game day.

No date has been set for the play-offs but the Pompey players will require up to three weeks to get back to the fitness levels needed.

Friendlies

There’s hope Pompey will get at least one warm-up match under their belt in order to regain their sharpness.

In the Premier League, clubs are allowed to play friendlies against sides within a 90-minute radius.

On Sunday, Arsenal beat Championship strugglers Charlton 6-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Players have to drive to matches in their own cars, while coaching staff referee the games.

The Blues could face the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth or Reading, although top-flight and second-tier clubs are ahead of Kenny Jackett’s men in terms of their comeback trails and might not fancy that scenario – something Pompey would not be too thrilled about either.

Pompey could, therefore, seek special dispensation to play League Two counterparts who’ll be in the play-offs such as Northampton and Cheltenham.

The alternative would be in-house friendlies among the current squad of players – but that’s not ideal.

Competitive games

The Premier League has a set return date (June 17), while the Championship has June 20 in the diary.

But dates for potential League One and League Two play-off games are still to be decided.

Although an end of June return has been mooted for the semi-finals, the EFL may opt for them to go ahead at the same time as the Championship’s end-of-season play-offs – like they do during a normal season.

But that could mean Pompey waiting until the middle of July to play a competitive game.

That’s not ideal, so could an alternative time frame be on the cards?

Play-off semi-finals

The Blues’ two games will be hosted at Fratton Park and the Kassam Stadium respectively – if the unweighted points-per-game model is adopted.

With Pompey set to finish below the U’s in the expected table, that mean’s Kenny Jackett’s side will welcome Oxford to the south coast in the first leg, before making the trip up the A34 for the return clash.

Play-off final

Again, it’s unknown whether the EFL will look to have the play-off finals over a three-day period, which is usually the case.

The final venue

The play-off finals are traditionally held at Wembley – and it remains the favoured option – but there’s been no official word if the home of football will play host to these games this year.

Neutral venues with hotels attached to them could make sense – such as MK Dons and Bolton.

But could the EFL bid to retain some familiarity with the process and opt to keep the finals at Wembley?

It’s a venue all players would no doubt want to return to, regardless of the swathes of empty red seats.

Travelling

While players will drive in their own vehicles to friendlies, it could be different for play-off matches.

Social distancing will still be required, therefore multiple team coaches could be the order of the day.

Shrewsbury chief executive Brian Caldwell said they would have needed three coaches for away games if remaining fixtures were to be fulfilled.

Substitutions

Premier League and Championship clubs have been granted permission to use five substitutes during a game rather than three.

Teams are also allowed to name nine players on the bench.

Although Pompey will have fewer games to play, the increased risk of muscle injuries may see League One clubs permitted to use five substitutes as well.

Suspensions

All bookings from the regular season are wiped clean heading into the play-offs.

However, any player who is sent off will serve a one-match suspension.

Fans watching games

It is expected that Sky Sports will broadcast the League One play-offs like they do every season.

However, not all fans have access to the satellite service, while there’s no sign of the pubs reopening in order for fans to watch games down their local boozer.

Pompey will discuss how to compensate ticket holders for games cancelled through the Tony Goodhall Fans’ Conference in the coming weeks.

How fans can tune into the play-offs will also be high on the agenda – with the role of iFollow, particularly for season-ticket-holders and those with tickets for league games cancelled, to be taken into consideration.

Summer transfer window

The window was originally meant to open on Wednesday, June 10, but that looks set to change.

Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin believes the window should remain open until the end of January to help out clubs.

Starting the 2020-21 season

It’s another big question on people’s minds.

No specific date has been given for when the next campaign will start amid the coronavirus crisis.

Scunthorpe chairman Peter Swann reckons fans could be back in grounds in September at a reduced capacity, as does his Peterborough counterpart, Darragh MacAnthony.

However, the general consensus remains – let’s get this season sorted before we turn our attention to next term.