There is a growing desire within the Premier League and EFL to have the season finished one way or another by June 30.

Top-flight clubs will meet on Thursday morning via video conference and the current return date of April 4 is expected to be pushed back with the support of the FA.

But an increasing number of Premier League clubs are also lobbying for a cut-off date at which a decision will be made on whether to abandon attempts to play outstanding matches. There is a strong belief that playing any football after June 30, when some players’ contracts expire, could prove to be almost impossible.

Should the coronavirus crisis prevent a resumption by the cut-off point, huge decisions will have to be made over how to deal with the premature end to the campaign. Are Liverpool declared title-winners and Aston Villa relegated along with Norwich and Bournemouth? Is the season declared null and void? What of Leeds and West Bromwich Albion and their promotion hopes – and so on down the pyramid?

After postponing Euro 2020 on Tuesday, UEFA said it wanted all domestic and European club competitions finished by June 30. Many believe that is unlikely, given the crisis has shown little sign of subsiding. Premier League clubs have either nine or 10 matches still to play. Legal advice will be supplied at the summit and will play a key role in any decisions.

On Wednesday, the EFL announced it will release a £50million short-term relief fund to help clubs with cash-flow issues caused by the virus. The fund includes an early release of award payments and an interest-free loan facility. Officials are also looking into whether ailing clubs qualify for the £330billion Government-backed loan scheme announced on Tuesday.

A number of lower-league sides have contacted Premier League clubs from whom they have loan players to ask if they can delay paying their part of the wages.

An EFL statement read: ‘The board heard the comments and observations from EFL clubs, before discussing a number of issues. Discussions centred on financial relief for clubs in the short term and while there is no single solution, measures are to be put in place to immediately assist with cash flow via a £50m short-term relief package.’

The EFL also announced that the Leasing.com Trophy final between Portsmouth and Salford City, scheduled for April 5, has been postponed.