'I’m not just saying it because it's Newcastle!': Alan Shearer's message to the Premier League and FA

Top-flight clubs returned to training last week, the first stage of Project Restart, which is aiming to get competitive action back underway next month.

The go-ahead of stage two is set to be decided on Wednesday when clubs will vote on whether to resume contact training.

But if the campaign is to get back underway, Magpies legend Shearer is adamant the FA Cup should be included in any new fixture schedule.

“No, definitely not,” Shearer said when asked if the competition should be forgotten about. “And I’m not just saying it because Newcastle are in the quarter-finals - and are normally long since out!

“If we are getting the league campaign done then we can get the FA Cup finished. There’s only one more round and then it’s a neutral venue for the semis and final anyway - normally Wembley.

“All eight teams left are from the Premier League, so I’m sure it could be fitted into the schedule. It’s important to get it finished.”

Meanwhile, Premier League clubs will also meet on Thursday to discuss broader details of a restart, including contingency talks on how curtailment of the season would look.

Clubs in the Championship, League One and Two are set to vote soon on whether to curtail the campaign, which would then be decided via unweighted points per game.