Leeds United, Sheffield United, Barnsley, Bradford City, Doncaster Rovers, Harrogate Town, Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday will play on during the coronavirus lockdown - and National League will also be allowed to

In addition to the prime minister's reply to a direct question about the top division during his media briefing, culture secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed elite sport will be allowed to continue behind closed doors. In English football terms, this is classed as Premier League, Football League and National League levels, meaning Barnsley, Bradford City, Bradford (Park Avenue), Doncaster Rovers, Guiseley, Halifax Town, Harrogate Town, Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday and York City will also be allowed to continue playing if their leagues choose to.

The Football League (EFL) were quick to confirm they plan to do so.

"EFL competitions will remain as currently scheduled (in both England and Wales)," it said in a statement.

"Professional football has implemented some of the most stringent, robust and regularly reviewed protocols since the restart in June 2020 and our medical experts’ advice remains in place to fully adhere to these measures which are specifically designed to mitigate against the spread of the virus."

A second national lockdown will come into place in England on Thursday, and is due to continue until December 2.

When the country first locked down because of the coronavirus in the spring, organised sport was put on hold. Premier League and Championship football resumed in mid-June, but the divisions below did not think it financially viable to do so without crowds, except for promotion play-offs. They did, however, start the new season in September in the expectation spectators would be allowed to return in limited numbers in October, only for the Government to change its mind.

Premier League footballers are tested twice a week for covid-19, but Football League protocols are far less stringent.

International and European club football is also due to be played in November.

The lockdown will only come into place if voted through by Parliament on Wednesday but it would be a major surprise if it was not, given that the Opposition have been calling for it for some time.

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