Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore has confirmed that talks are set to continue over the proposed introduction of a winter break into the English football league calendar.
Reported bySky Sports, Scudamore has backed the beliefs of the recently appointed England manager Sam Allardyce who feels it will enhance England's chances at international level.
The former Sunderland boss took time in his first press conference as the new Three Lions boss to emphasise just how important he feels a winter break would be.
"It would help the Premier League and us at international level if we could achieve that," he said.
"January and February is always the most difficult time to get players through."
Watch back the key moments from @OfficialBigSam's first press conference as #ThreeLions manager: https://t.co/w0wL6L7qsM
Following Allardyce's comments Scudamore has stated that the Premier League are not against the idea and will work with the Football Association for the best outcome.
"We are not against it, a winter break. We are in discussions with the FA and Football League, it's an integrated calendar."
Across the major leagues in Europe, a winter break is implemented with many successful international managers claiming England's failure is down to their season continuing over the Christmas period.
BREAKING: @premierleague Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore confirms discussions ongoing regarding a winter break. https://t.co/aNnpf5bNqq
The festive football is a huge part of English tradition and FA chief executive Martin Glenn has eased concerns over the winter break, insisting that it could be pushed back.
"What scared people about winter breaks in the past is the thought of it being between Boxing Day and New Year but it doesn't have to be then. It can be after the FA Cup third round in mid-January."
Scudamore would not be drawn on how soon the possibility of a break could be introduced on the footballing calendar, with the currentthree-year television rights deals delaying its implementation.
"I don't know how close or near or far we are because I wouldn't want to compromise those negotiations, but if the three bodies come up with a solution we then have to road test that with the clubs, the fans and everything else," he said.
"There is a willingness to try and make it happen but I can't put anything like a time scale on it. I think if it was easy it would have been done already."