MIDDLESBROUGH and Sunderland will be able to use five substitutes in the remainder of their matches this season after the EFL announced a change to its regulations.

While the Premier League is holding firm over restricting the number of replacements permitted in a game to three, the EFL will allow five substitutes to be used from this weekend.

Under the new regulations – which come into force in time for Coventry’s Championship match against Birmingham and the League Two fixture between Mansfield and Colchester tomorrow – teams in the Championship will be able to make five changes from a pool of nine substitutes. For Leagues One and League Two, any five from seven will be permitted.

An EFL statement said: “Following consultation, the EFL board has agreed to increase the permitted number of substitutes to five in all Sky Bet EFL fixtures taking place from Friday 20 November for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

“Regulation 33.4 has been amended to permit Championship clubs to name up to nine substitutes in their matchday squad, with five permitted to take to the pitch. League One and League Two clubs can name up to seven substitutes in their squad, with five permitted (to play).”