Winkelman: Our duty is to play football but we're in extraordinary times

Pete Winkelman admitted he can see why there is a split in opinion in League One as clubs remain at loggerheads as to how to finish the 2019/20 season.

With the Premier League due back next month, and the Championship likely to follow suit, League One's future will be decided definitively on June 8.

The EFL have offered the options of having all teams finishing the season, or having a points-per-game system to establish promotion and relegation, with a play-off system in place.

However, PPG means some clubs will miss out on the chance for promotion, while Tranmere fancy their chances of avoiding relegation, which they would suffer under PPG, should the remaining games be played.

Dons chairman Winkelman's stance on the division's future has been the same from early on. With Dons set to remain 18th under PPG, he will go with the flow and vote for the most popular option but said with some clubs returning to training, it will show how serious they are about football returning sooner rather than later.

"We understand the final decision will be made on June 8," he said. "In the meantime, we can go back to training. That's another indicator for us of how serious people are about finishing the league. Our duty is to play football when we can, but we're in extraordinary times.

"Sadly, I see all the arguments, which is why I want to do what the majority will want.

"When you get to individual clubs' particular circumstances, everyone has to vote for their vested interests and supporters of those clubs would be disappointed if the clubs didn't do that. It's so tight at the top that some are suggesting the top should be played in an expanded play-off which enables everyone to have a chance. But then you've got Coventry at the top who are miles away, and if anyone deserves promotion this year it's them.

"It has been quite sensible from the EFL to offer two options which are play and finish the season the way we think the Championship will, or do what League Two will do and just play the play-offs with non-weighted points-per-game. If you start offering more options, it makes it harder to get a majority."