SWINDON Town's season will not get back under way before April 30 after the FA, EFL and Premier League extended their suspension for the coronavirus pandemic.

But in a bid to complete all of this season's competitions, the FA have chosen to extend the 2019-20 season indefinitely for England's professional leagues.

That will come as hopeful news for promotion-chasing Town, who sit second in League Two with a game in hand on leaders Crewe Alexandra and less than a quarter of the season left to play.

There had been fears the entirety of the campaign to date could have been declared null and void, wiping out the hard work so far of Richie Wellens' side.

However, Uefa's decision to push the 2020 European Championships back a year has opened the door for professional leagues to play on.

The initial postponement for the EFL and top flight had been set until April 3, but with the outbreak growing further action has been taken.

A joint statement read: "The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.

"We're united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.

"We've collectively supported UEFA in postponing EURO 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.

"The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that “the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June” and “each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season”.

"However, our Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019-20 season in relation to professional football. Additionally, we've collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than Thursday 30 April.

"The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.

"We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.

"We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19."