The Championship play-offs could be expanded to six teams after the FA approved a vote which will take place next month. EFL clubs will have their say on whether to alter the traditional format at an extraordinary general on March 5.

A proposal from the EFL which emerged in September would add an eliminator round as seen in the National League play-offs. This would allow the teams which finish seventh and eighth in the Championship to take part in the play-offs while giving those who finished in third and fourth an advantage.

The Guardian report that the FA recently approved the EFL's request to pursue the change, despite opposition from the Premier League. Top-flight chiefs are concerned about a potential drop in standards if, for example, the team which finished eighth were to be promoted alongside first and second place.

All that's needed to confirm the change is a majority among the 24 Championship clubs and an overall majority among the 72 EFL clubs - 13 and 37 votes in favour respectively. The new format would be implemented next season.

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The EFL are reportedly confident that the change will be approved. Officials have consulted with clubs since the idea was first put forward at a Championship divisional meeting in September.

In the proposed format, which is slightly different to the National League's, fifth would host eighth and sixth would host seventh in one-off ties. The two winners of the eliminator round would then face second and third respectively in a two-legged semi-final.

This is unlike the National League, where all play-offs matches have been single-leg ties since the 2017-18 season. A final at Wembley would then be used to determine which team gets promoted to the Premier League.

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The vote comes amid another potential change in the EFL. Clubs in the National League have been campaigning to increase the number of promotion spots to League Two. Currently, only two sides are promoted (one automatically and one via the play-offs) to replace the same amount coming down, but the National League's 3UP campaign has gained significant traction this season.

Last week, an EFL spokesperson said: "Earlier today the EFL board considered recent correspondence received from the National League in respect of its 3UP campaign. Following discussion, the board agreed that the most appropriate way to move matters forward was to further discuss alignment requirements with clubs at the all‑club meeting in March.

"The league maintains that this is not a single-issue matter and one which requires detailed consideration of the other related issues and regulations at play, and close cooperation and constructive dialogue across the pyramid."

The same majority as the Championship play-off vote would be needed to approve the change.

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