The EFL has confirmed that teams in the Championship will be permitted to name nine substitutes in their match-day squads when the season begins in just over six weeks' time.
Leeds United are back in the second tier for the first time in four seasons and will start their campaign with an Elland Road clash against Cardiff City, in which they will be able to name 20 players in their match-day squad after an agreement was reached following discussion between EFL clubs.
This is up from the five subs allowed in the Championship last season and brings it in line with what Leeds were allowed to do in the Premier League in the 2022-23 campaign.
Who will make up these additional places on the bench for Leeds is still up in the air, as they are set for a busy summer transfer window with a host of departures expected, amid reported relegation clauses for a number of the squad's high-profile players. This in turn could lead to opportunities for a number of the club's promising young talents and a need to ensure they use the summer transfer window effectively to account for the change.
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With Leeds still waiting on EFL approval for their takeover from 49ers Enterprises before they announce their new head coach, they remain in something of a state of limbo when it comes to squad building, although the arrival of Nick Hammond as an interim football advisor earlier this month means that recruitment wheels are in motion behind the scenes.
Confirming this rule change, a statement from the EFL read: "Following a discussion by EFL Clubs regarding the number of substitutes named in matchday squads, Championship Clubs have opted to use five substitutes from nine named (an increase from seven named) from the 2023-24 season.
"Clubs in League One and League Two will continue to use five substitutes from seven named on the bench.
"In accordance with the League’s Articles of Association each Division is able to propose and adopt amendments or alterations to a variety of fixture related matters, including the number of substitutes."
