Town boss Kieran McKenna has backed the move which will allow EFL clubs to use five of their seven subs during the season ahead.

Last season sides were able to field three of their seven subs, but while the number on the bench will remain the same, five can come on during the campaign ahead.

Clubs will be permitted a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during a match with more than one substitution allowed at each of its three opportunities. Substitutions made at half-time will not count towards the three opportunities.

“I like the rule. I got used to it, as everyone got used to it, during Covid times,” McKenna said. “I like the rule, I think the large majority of teams now operate with larger first-team squads and also have academies.

“My preference would be to have a larger substitutes’ bench to enable more of your squad on matchdays and integrate younger players easier on matchdays.

“I like the move, for us it has some advantages. I’d like to think we will have one of the stronger, attacking depths in the squad if everyone is available and fit.

“It can also work the other way — and I have had experiences of that as well. Teams who are maybe on the backfoot and defending a little more, when those players are getting tired and maybe coming under pressure, they are able to make changes and bring on fresh legs to help them see the game out.

“It works both ways. I don’t necessarily go along with the rhetoric that it is just an advantage for the big teams in any given league, it can work both ways.

“But I do like it, in terms of we have, and almost all clubs have, a squad of professional footballers who train all week to be involved in a match and it helps us to build the spirit and involvement across the season.”

Photo: TWTD

bigolconnor added 18:46 - Jul 29 We will definitely benefit from this
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chepstowblue added 19:09 - Jul 29 We should benefit, but it's bl**dy pathetic. I guess I'm old school and don't understand the namby pamby sport that football has become! Drinks breaks over 20 degrees, no heading. It won't be long before the players are giving sandwich orders on the half hr mark and taking a rest for ten minutes for a massage. And the board will still only go up for one minute additional time !!

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arc added 20:06 - Jul 29 Terrible change. Benefits the big clubs (while encouraging them to stockpile players who won't play) and slows the match down. At the very least, if we have to do this, can we speed up substitutions?–the silly fumbling of the fourth official with the electronic board, trying to show multiple subs in succession, is daft. Get the players off (and on) and put the changes up on the scoreboard.

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Pessimist added 04:02 - Jul 30 They are all babies.
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Pessimist added 04:03 - Jul 30 Nappies included in the team kit, in future, I think...
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