Premier League clubs are starting to brief staff they expect football to restart by June 13.
Sportsmail understands at least two top-flight clubs have told their footballing employees that there is now a loose aim for the first set of fixtures after the coronavirus delay to take place on June 6 or the following weekend.
Clubs will be allowed to make their own decisions on when to recommence group training sessions, according to social distancing guidelines, depending on their players’ fitness levels.
But it is likely clubs will begin what is essential pre-season training by mid-May. One club has pinpointed May 11 as a potential return date, while another has pencilled in May 8.
But, following weeks of uncertainty, it appears the football season will finally be concluded.
Premier League clubs are set to be briefed by the government on the next phase of social distancing guidelines by the end of the week.
The information from those discussions will prove crucial to when teams can realistically return to group training.
All 20 clubs will reconvene on Friday for a Premier League shareholders meeting aimed at trying to establish a plan for the return of football later this week.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden informed MPs last week that he had been having ‘productive talks’ with British sporting governing bodies on restarting following the coronavirus hiatus.
But even then, a return to action would be dependent on a number of variables being met with regards to testing and social distancing measures
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