A winter break has been introduced into English football for the 2019-20 season, but no EFL fixtures will be impacted.

The two-week ‘Mid-Season Player Break’ will take place in February across the Premier League only, with the break staggered to ensure there are still five matches played on each weekend.

The busy EFL schedule, which at 46-games includes eight more matches than the Premier League season, will not accomodate the break.

As part of the move the fifth round of the FA Cup will now be held in midweek, with no replays and extra-time and penalties in their place.

MORE: Two Ipswich Town interviewees, an ex-England boss and maybe an Argentine legend - all change in the ChampionshipShaun Harvey, EFL chief executive, said: “It has been useful to have these positive discussions over the last few months and, as part of the conversations, we have been able to ensure that our requirements could be incorporated within any changes.

“We very much understand, and support, the requirement and wishes of our colleagues across the game to introduce a Mid-Season Player Break. We hope it will provide the appropriate recovery time for players and have the positive impact on player and team performance that it is designed to deliver.

MORE: ‘He texted me and I told him I’m looking forward to working with him’ - Bialkowski on Hurst“At the same time we must acknowledge that fixture congestion remains a challenge and with a 46-game season to complete, plus the play-offs inside a 10-month period, it is currently impractical even if it was desirable for the EFL to introduce a similar break in our competitions. We will look to showcase the Sky Bet EFL during the two week period.”