Major rule change offers immediate prospect of more options for Leeds United in Championship's run-in

With players across the globe facing the potential to be playing more games in a shorter period of time, football's lawmakers have acted quickly to make a temporary amendment to the laws of the game based on a proposal received from FIFA seeking to protect player welfare.

Consequently, in competitions that are scheduled to be completed by December 31, teams will now be allowed to use up to five substitutes though sides will only have three opportunities to make substitutions during the game - excluding half-time and extra-time.