The EFL have confirmed that where it's safe to do so, all fixtures across the Football League divisions will continue to be played over the festive period.

With the spread of the Omicron Covid variant, numerous fixtures over the last week - including Reading's clash with Luton Town - were postponed due to outbreaks of positive cases amongst players and staff. In total, 25 games were postponed across the top four divisions of English football over the last round of fixtures but the Premier League decided Monday morning to continue with the normal schedule and the EFL has followed suit.

The governing body released a statement acknowledging that their would likely be further postponements but that "there is optimism that disruption can be minimised following implementation of RED protocols".

In addition, the EFL announced that fans will continue to be welcomed into stadiums across the country over the Christmas period.

The full EFL statement can read below:

The EFL can confirm that its programme of games in the League and Carabao Cup will continue with fixtures to be played where it is safe to do so, and the set squad criteria can be fulfilled by Clubs.

While the League acknowledges there will likely be future postponements to navigate where Covid-19 cases are identified, there is optimism that disruption can be minimised following implementation of RED protocols, a daily testing regime and ongoing vaccination rollout.

Commenting, EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch said:

“Throughout the pandemic, our two priorities have been ensuring the welfare of those involved in EFL competitions and ensuring the fixture schedule can continue where it is safe to do so.

“We will continue to work with clubs, authorities and other agencies to monitor the Covid-19 case rate and be prepared to respond accordingly, yet for now the view remains that we can continue to deliver games safely where clubs have sufficient healthy personnel in place, on and off the pitch.

“With club mitigation measures, the mass adoption of booster jabs and Covid certification now required for larger crowds, we are sure many fans will continue to feel confident in attending matches over the Christmas period and we look forward to welcoming them.”

Reading are set to travel to Peterborough United on Boxing Day but the game hangs in the balance as the club continues to recover from the recent Covid outbreak that forced the postponement of last weekend's game against Luton.