OXFORD United will be allowed to make five substitutions per game in Sky Bet League One next season.

English Football League (EFL) clubs approved the increase from three changes each match at today’s Annual General Meeting.

The rule was initially introduced when football returned from the first coronavirus lockdown in summer 2020 and was in place for United’s League One play-off campaign that July.

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The EFL reverted to three substitutions for the start of the 2020/21 season, only to raise the number again in November to help clubs cope with a condensed fixture list.

Teams were only allowed three changes throughout the 2021/22 campaign, much to the frustration of U’s head coach Karl Robinson.

He said last August: “I don’t agree with the three subs rule.

“If we had the ability to do that (make five) I think it would make our season a lot more interesting.

“I still can’t see why the EFL can’t change that regulation.

“It’s going to be the same whether it’s Accrington, Oxford, Cambridge or Ipswich.”

Robinson made at least four substitutions in all but five games from the moment the rule was reintroduced in November 2020 until the end of that season.

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Clubs will have three opportunities to make their changes, excluding half-time. They are still only allowed to name seven players on the bench.

EFL sides have also approved a new rule allowing home teams to wear their away or third kit if people who are colour blind could find it difficult to distinguish between the two clubs.

Teams will be able to sport ‘mix and match’ kits to avoid any clashes.

The EFL has pledged to take a more active role in helping clubs identify where a potential clash could occur.