Leeds United would be in regionalised Championship unless promotion is secured claims report

The Sun On Sunday claims there are legs in an idea to vastly reduce the number of games, travel and accommodation needed to determine the outcome of the Championship, League One and League Two next term.

The current EFL season is presently suspended amidst the ongoing global battle against coronavirus with the EFL hoping to complete all remaining fixtures within 56 days in the summer months and working on the assumption that matches would be played behind closed doors.

But that would mean the season ending potentially at least a few months later than usual, raising suggestions that a radical shortened campaign could consequently be brought in next term.

The Sun On Sunday's report claims that if Leeds were still in the Championship then they would be placed in the Championship North section along with Barnsley, Blackburn Rovers, Derby County, Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest, Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke City and Wigan Athletic.

"A league revamp would involve the 12 teams in each sub-division clashing home and away before coming together for play-offs to decide promotion and perhaps relegation,"claims the report.

“This would, in theory, reduce the risk of the competition having to shut down in the wake of new COVID-19 outbreaks. It would also cut travel and accommodation costs.”

The plans would see each team play only 11 home matches as opposed to the 23 currently on the schedule.

The report also claims that Birmingham City and West Brom would be placed in the south section.

Leeds, though, and West Brom, will hope to be in the Premier League by the start of next season with the Whites and Baggies occupying the division's two automatic promotion places with nine games left.

United are seven points clear of third-placed Fulham who are six behind the Baggies.

The report suggests that a regionalised Championship would look as follows.

North: Barnsley, Blackburn, Derby, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Nottm Forest, Preston, Sheff Wed, Stoke, Wigan.

South: Birmingham, Brentford, Bristol City, Cardiff, Charlton, Fulham, Luton, Millwall, QPR, Reading, Swansea, West Brom.

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