EPL clubs believe suspension of games will be LONGER than 3 weeks (Mail)

Premier League clubs already fear they may be out of action for longer than three weeks after the impact of the coronavirus outbreak was finally felt by English football.

The Premier League confirmed all games will be suspended, 'with the intention of returning on April 4' in light of the rapid spread of the virus.

The EFL, FA Women's Super League and FA Women's Championship have been postponed until April 3 at the earliest.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi are two top-flight names who have tested positive for coronavirus.

Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc and four members of Cherries staff are all isolating after displaying symptoms of the condition.

Manchester City, Leicester, Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Watford and West Ham have also revealed they have either all or some of their players and staff in self-isolation.

English football's authorities held an emergency meeting on Friday morning in which it was decided no games will be played until the start of next month.

Though many of the Premier League's 20 sides already feel a longer break in matches is highly likely and it will only take one more diagnosis, especially if it comes close to the intended end date, to force an extension to the suspension.

Some clubs are awaiting results after testing players and staff as part of the precautionary measures taken following reported symptoms or contact with coronavirus sufferers. Further confirmed cases, it is feared, will mean the ban being extended.

Friday morning's announcement has led to a number of side's sending their players home for the day now they have no game to prepare for on Saturday.

The repercussions of this unprecedented situation are wide-reaching. One issue for clubs is how to manage their players' fitness during the enforced break.

Many are expected to return on Monday and have their training altered to reflect having no matches for three weeks.

Sportsmail has learned that clubs have also drawn up contingency plans in the event of future cases emerging which either result in the closure of their training grounds or members being forced into self-isolation.

Players who are able to train but without access to the training ground, will be given fitness programmes to work on at home to ensure they remain in suitable condition to return to action when the suspension is ended.