PL TARGET AUGUST 22 FINALE

THE Premier League are prepared to extend the season to the second half of August to ensure it is completed. They initially wanted the season finished by the end of July, but Sportsmail understands officials have earmarked August 22 as the new deadline. The season could be delayed by positive tests or other problems. Stretching the period for the remaining 92 games to nine weeks, from mid-June to August 22, would reduce the impact on next season. This new end date was put to players last week.

UEFA want to play the Champions League final a week later on August 29. Next season was set to start on August 8, but is likely to get under way in mid-September instead. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said yesterday he believes most European leagues will be able to finish the season, telling beIN Sports: ‘The majority of leagues will finish. The ones who do not... will still have to play qualifiers to participate in UEFA competition. ‘The European season will be finished, if everything is as it is now, in August.’ One of the issues that could prevent the season being completed is a major player rebellion. But while the number of players against returning is significant, it is not thought to be enough to derail Project Restart. The 20 clubs will vote for a return to phase one of training at a meeting today. A number of clubs will test players and staff today, with a view to returning to training on Wednesday or Thursday. Results should be available 24 hours after the tests.