Ex-Leeds United striker says season should conclude 'however long it takes' amid Premier League push

Former Leeds United striker Robbie Fowler believes the current season must have a conclusion on the pitch, no matter how long it takes.

Marcelo Bielsa's charge for Premier League football at Elland Road has been halted amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

The Whites sit top of the Championship with nine games of the season to go, one point clear of West Brom in second and seven ahead of Fulham in third position.

The EFL suspended games for an initial three week period last Friday until April 3 but doubts have been cast over whether competitive action will continue early next month.

Fowler - who enjoyed a two-year spell at Elland Road around the turn of the century - believes that the current campaign must reach an on-field finish regardless of how long it may take.

"I think the season has to play out, regardless of how long we have to wait," he told Sky Sports.

"In all fairness I think they should wait as long as it takes and then play all the games.

"If any season is going to be interrupted it should be next season because then everyone starts on a level playing field and knows what the implications are."

Fowler is the current head coach of A-League outfit Brisbane Roar, and Football Federation Australia have chosen to continue playing matches without supporters in an attempt to get the campaign finished.

No decision, though, has yet been taken on what to do for the end-of-season A-League 2020 finals series play-offs.

"The leagues over here are trying to suspend games," he continued, "but the general consensus is the league will go ahead but behind closed doors and the league will be condensed into a shorter period.

"Atmosphere-wise it is never the same when you are playing a competitive game in an empty stadium but we have to listen to what the relevant authorities say. It is up to us as a playing group to raise the atmosphere.

"I think everyone is a little bit scared but life for us still goes on as we are trying to train the lads for games.

"Our game is behind closed doors this weekend so everything goes on as normal.

"The office staff have been told to stay away so the football department are on their own."