MIDDLESBROUGH and Sunderland have been assured that the English Football League intends to finish the rest of the season – and there will be financial help for struggling clubs too.

EFL chairman Rick Parry backed the plans during an EFL board conference call this morning aimed at coming up with a way to proceed with a campaign halted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Premier League’s clubs will have a similar video call meeting on Thursday morning to discuss their next step, at a time when the deadly disease is disrupting sport across the country and around the world.

The England and Wales Cricket Board recommended that all forms of recreational cricket be suspended indefinitely, just weeks before the season is due to begin.

And Formula One's governing body approved a revised shutdown period for Team factories - which had been reserved for August - to enable the possibility for the sport to go racing throughout the summer. Those follow on from a variety of cancelled events in recent days, with more likely to follow.

Top-flight clubs will now look to come up with their own plan after the EFL released details of their intentions following the 24-team conference call; in light of last Friday’s announcement that all fixtures have been postponed until April 3.

The EFL insisted in a statement that its main priority is to finish this season to "protect the integrity" of the competition. It has also put in place a £50m fund to help clubs.

"The primary objective, in order to protect competition integrity, is to deliver a successful conclusion to the 2019/20 season, subject to the over-riding priority around health and well-being," said the EFL.

Debate has raged since last week's announcement centred on the correct course of action.

"The EFL is continuing regular dialogue with the government and relevant health authorities and, as and when more information is known regarding the scale and extent of the coronavirus outbreak in this country, a decision will be taken on the resumption of the Leagues fixtures," the league said.

The statement also added that league officials were in touch with the Football Association and the Premier League aimed at coming up with a joint solution.

And EFL has launched the a £50m fund to help reduce some of the impact of the stoppage which threatens to cripple some clubs.

"Measures are to be put in place to immediately assist with cash flow via a £50m short-term relief package," it said.

"This fund consists of the remaining Basic Award payments being advanced to clubs immediately, with the remainder made up through interest-free loan facility available to clubs, calculated in line with the EFL's Article of Associations."