The Football Association have announced a temporary suspension of the FA Youth Cup.

Burnley were set to start their campaign against AFC Wimbledon in round three tomorrow, while Rovers were due to host Arsenal in their round four tie on January 27.

However, the competition has now been suspended until the current lockdown ends, meaning all ties will be rescheduled.

The Clarets and Rovers both enter the competition at the third round stage, owing to their Category One Academy status, with Rovers having beaten Carlisle in their round three tie to set up another date with Arsenal.

They beat the young Gunners in the quarter finals of last season’s competition which wasn’t completed until October, with Rovers beaten by eventual winners Manchester City in the last four.

An FA statement read: “We can confirm our decision to temporarily suspend the 2020-21 FA Youth Cup and have discussed this with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and the competing clubs.

“The health and wellbeing of players and staff are of paramount importance and we intend to resume the national competition once the UK Government’s current national COVID-19 lockdown concludes and it is deemed safer for clubs to travel.

“The FA Youth Participation & Development Committee, which is responsible for management of the competition, will continue to review the situation and we will provide further updates at the earliest opportunity.”

Tony Philliskirk's Clarets will return to Under-18s Premier League action against Wolves on Saturday, January 23.

As for Mike Sheron’s Rovers, they host Everton on Saturday, their first match in a month since a 1-1 draw with Manchester City.