Premier League contemplating bringing back five substitutions

Five substitutions are back on the Premier League's agenda - and could come into play next season.

Sportsmail understands that top flight clubs have been told to expect a vote at June's annual general meeting, with a captain's call on the matter scheduled for Tuesday.

The uplift from the existing three changes has the backing of the Professional Footballers' Association, and last week Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reiterated his call for five subs to be permitted. Others in the top six share the German's stance, including Manchester City rival Pep Guardiola.

However, it remains a contentious issue, with some of those outside the elite believing it would give an unfair advantage to those who have more expensively-assembled squads which boast greater strength in depth.

The Premier League increased the number of allowed replacements to five when it restarted in June 2020 following the first Covid lockdown. However, it reverted back to three last season, despite all other major European leagues continuing to stick with five.

That move came following a vote, at which 10 top flight clubs went against the re-introduction.

Maheta Molango, chair of the PFA, believes the increase - which he supports - provides no competitive advantage to the bigger clubs.

'We are absolutely in favour of it,' he said. 'We have made this clear to the Premier League. It should never have been a discussion about competitive advantage because it has nothing to do with competitive advantage - as studies show. This is purely a question of player welfare. 

'When so many games need to be played we need to make sure the players get a chance to rest properly.' 

Molango, who also wants the introduction of a minimum 72-hour gap between matches, feels the