Lewes boss: It's not just Klopp and Guardiola who want five subs in football

Hugo Langton says players need protection in a season when they are often playing two games a week / Picture: James Boyes

Echoing the sentiments of the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola in the Premier League, Langton feels it would be a big step towards protecting players at a time when the schedule of games is relentless.

The ‘five subs’ call has turned into a big debate in football, with some bosses saying the move would reduce the risk of players having to last 90 minutes when not fit or stay on the pitch with a niggly injury. Critics say it would favour richer clubs with bigger squads.

Langton has started consulting other bosses at Isthmian League level and hopes the league will act if there is enough support.

“My main angle, as it is always, is player welfare,” he said. “At the moment we are in a break and players’ match fitness will drop. Then we will be asking them to go straight back to playing twice a week.

“At our level you’re expecting them to do that and spend their days going up scaffolding or whatever their job is. If you had the chance of five subs it’d reduce the risk of pushing some too far.”

Langton said a rule could limit subs to coming on only in three different stoppages per team – to prevent a winning side constantly trying to waste time through stoppages.

“Our priority should be to try to keep players healthy and injury-free as much as we can,” he added.

Lewes, like all clubs at non-league step three or below, are out of action until at least December 2.