THE PREMIER League announced they have adjusted the rules on substitutes so that clubs will be allowed to make five changes as of the start of the 2022-23 season.

Shareholders met and discussed a number of matters, also including confirming the date of the summer transfer window to fall in line with other European leagues and COVID protocols.

Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has been an ardent supporter of reintroducing five substitutes, since clubs were allowed to following the return of Premier League football after the COVID suspension in 2020.

The International Football Association Board advised the five-substitute rule should be made permanent but the Premier League decided against it during voting this season.

A Premier League statement reads: “Clubs agreed to change the rules relating to substitute players.

“From next season, clubs will be permitted to use five substitutions, to be made on three occasions during a match, with an additional opportunity at half-time.

“A total of nine substitutes can be named on the team sheet.”

Speaking ahead of Saints’ visit to Leeds United, Hasenhuttl said: “It’s no surprise, we have spoken a lot about it that for us it would be a gamechanger with the way we play – it helps for us, definitely.

“There are some arguments from the smaller clubs not to do it because of the squad difference between us and the bigger clubs, but I see it always as an advantage.”

The other matters discussed and decided upon were revealed in the Premier League statement.

They added: “It was also confirmed that the Summer 2022 Transfer Window will open on 10 June and will close at 23:00 BST on 1 September in line with other European leagues.

“From April 4, the League will remove twice-weekly COVID-19 testing of players and staff and move to symptomatic testing only.

“Other key updates include the removal of the requirement for clinical passports to access previously restricted areas at training grounds and on matchdays as the Premier League returns to business-as-usual operations.”