Newcastle boss Steve Bruce outlines his vision for a 'festival of football'

Professional football in England will not resume until April 30 at the earliest - but with the country currently in lockdown, that appears a very optimistic target date.

On Thursday, the Football Association announced results for the 2019-20 campaign will be expunged for non-league divisions below the National League and National League North and South.

Magpies boss Bruce accepts that football must not consider a return "until it is absolutely safe to do so", but clubs should be ready to hit the ground running.

"We have to try and get this season finished, whatever that takes, everybody wants that - but we must also remember that the health and safety of players and staff is far more important than football," Bruce said in an interview with The Telegraph.

"We should not return to training until it is absolutely safe to do so.

"We can have a 'Festival of Football' month, games every day, teams playing two or three games a week.

"It is not ideal, but if we can play 10 to 15 games in December and the start of January, we can do it to get this season finished.

"It probably means the start of next season will be delayed, we will probably have to scrap one of the cup competitions and do without a winter break, but it can be done.

"Whatever, however, we will find a way."

Meanwhile, former Blackburn Rovers keeper Paul Robinson has urged his old Rovers teammate Phil Jones to sign for Newcastle this summer.

Robinson told Football Insider: “He still has a lot to give. He has been at Manchester United for a long time but is still a good age. Anybody who has been at a club that length of time, it is worth a change.

“There is still a lot more for him to give. Playing without the pressure of Manchester United may kick him on for the latter part of his career.”