Premier League clubs have agreed for the season to restart on June 17, with Manchester City hosting Arsenal and Sheffield United facing Aston Villa to kickstart the remainder of the campaign.
The Project Restart initiative was handed a boost after talks between the 20 clubs were held on Thursday, in which they agreed on the date to get the action back under way next month.
The two matches scheduled for Wednesday, June 17 are the ‘games in hand’ and will bring all 20 clubs up to 29 matches played.
Another match may take place on Friday, June 19 but the first full round of fixtures will start on Saturday, June 20 with games staggered across the weekend.
It is understood Premier League bosses want the season to be concluded by the weekend of August 1.
The top-flight has been suspended since March 13 due to the global coronavirus pandemic, with Leicester City’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa on March 9 the last game to have been played.
Initially, the proposed date for the return of the Premier League was set for June 12.
But the resumption date was delayed as it was decided players needed more time to regain match fitness after being stuck in lockdown.
On Wednesday, Premier League clubs voted unanimously to resume contact training ahead of the season restarting.
A statement read: “Premier League shareholders today voted unanimously to resume contact training, marking another step towards restarting the Premier League season, when safe to do so.
“Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising any unnecessary close contact.
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“The Premier League’s priority is the health and well-being of all participants.
“Strict medical protocols are in place to ensure the training ground is the safest environment possible and players and staff will continue to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week.
“Stage Two of the Return to Training protocol has been agreed following consultation with clubs, players, managers, the PFA, LMA and the Government.
“Discussions are ongoing as work continues towards resuming the season, when conditions allow.”
Every player and staff member from each club will be tested for coronavirus before being granted permission to train.
Tests carried out this week showed that four people from three clubs had tested positive for COVID-19.
