The Premier League will finally join Europe’s other top 5 leagues in having a winter break from the 2019/2020 season.

The winter break will come into effect from February 2020, with an annual two-week winter break - agreed by the FA, Premier League and EFL - occuring following the completion of match day 26 in a move the FA hopes will improve England’s fortunes at major tournaments.

FA Cup fifth round replays will also be scrapped, with all matches played entirely midweek and decided by extra time and penalties. The 10-day hiatus for players will help ease the strain of the notoriously hectic period after the Christmas and New Year period.

The new measure ensure that the England team will benefit ahead of Euro 2020, where England will be enjoying a degree of home advantage, with the potential of 6 out of 7 games being played at Wembley in the lead up to the final.

The announcement follows the news of the Premier League fixture list ahead of the 2019/20 season.