Life below the Premier League is in the process of change after the 'Whole Game Solution' was announced in March, aimed at tackling some of the primary issues facing its clubs, along with the wider football world.
The EFL announced on Friday that the revamp would not involve Premier League B teams or clubs currently outside the English system following the first phase of consultation.
Plans to move from a three-division format to a four-league system remain in consideration, while clubs expressed a preference to play through a winter break, should one be introduced in the English game.
EFL chief executive Harvey says any mid-season break should come after the third round of the FA Cup, while moving the fourth and fifth rounds to midweek being discussed.
"What we are seeking to do is examine the format of league football in this country," he said at the Soccerex Global Convention
"Equally how cup competitions work in partnership with league football.
"What we are trying to establish is the format that gives all the relevant parts of the football family the best opportunity of being successful.
"One of the things that we have identified is that playing 46 league games is, in certain circumstances, not an ideal number
Some would say too many.
"Where we have to get to is a balance between the number of games and financial reward.
"We looked very early at how we could influence a very positive need for change for football in this country.
"The reduction in the number of games would seem to be a sensible way forward
That is only to allow a review of the scheduling of games, rather than addressing any element of congestion.
"The second part is what we are trying to do is find out whether these changes could increase centrally distributed funds for our clubs.
"That was one of the conditions we set right from the start
That is achieved by playing more league games at weekends."
One of the ways of doing that is potentially to play two rounds of the FA Cup, won last season by Manchester United in Louis Van Gaal's last game in charge (see pic) Â in midweek.Â
The Football Association in May announced that sixth-round replays would be scrapped and Harvey admitted "it may well be that replays for four and five may have to go as part of this process".
The EFL and FA have spoken about the competition organisation, which Harvey believes would help clubs at all levels.
"If our clubs are not going to be in a position where they are no worse off, or better off, then this won't come to fruition," he said.
"But we obviously think we have a realistic prospect, otherwise we would be spending a lot of time on something without the prospect of a positive outcome.
"I hope you can tell by the length of time this has gone on and how our clubs have considered this that there is a real prospect of being successful and sufficient money being generated and redistributed in a manner that would ensure our clubs were in a stronger financial position."
Source : PA
Source: PA