The Premier League, FA and EFL have reached an agreement in principle to introduce a winter break during the 2019/20 season.
The move would see teams afforded a 13-day break form competitive action and is expected to take place during January and February 2020.
FA chief executive Martin Glenn first outlined plans for a winter break in 2016 and it is understood the FA council have been informed of the latest developments.
Were the proposals to be signed off on, one round of Premier League games will take place over two weeks and sides would either play at the start or end of the break period.
The FA Cup fifth round would be moved to a midweek fixture and also see replays scrapped in favour of extra time and penalties.
Sky Sports reports, though, that the decision to push ahead with plans has angered certain members of the FA council who felt their role in negotiations was not big enough.
The break will allow teams the chance to travel for training camps, but fears remain club’s will use it as a chance to take part in lucrative overseas tours.
Such moves are likely to irk the FA, with the break felt by many to be a way of helping the England team perform better at international tournaments.
The idea that the likes of Germany and Spain have arrived at tournaments in better condition due to having a winter break has long been a popular opinion.
Meanwhile, a host pundits, players and coaches argue that the traditional Christmas fixture list, which sees teams play a number of games over December and early January, has an adverse impact on the Three Lions.
Supporters would be loathed to see the hugely popular festive feast of games disappear, but the break could ultimately provide more profitable returns at international level.
By holding the break later in the year, the FA and Premier League have in effect been able to create a best of both worlds scenario.
Euro 2020, a competition which will see a host of matches, including the semi-final and final, played in England, would be the first tournament where England’s players will have had the chance to enjoy a break in the build-up.
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