Sheffield United are confident of keeping Panagiotis Retsos and Richairo Zivkovic beyond their current loan spells following an announcement from FIFA, according to reports.

The sport’s governing body has confirmed it will allow loans to be extended beyond their current end dates with the Premier League season likely to continue well into the summer.

Retsos was signed on loan until June 30th, but with leagues looking likely to continue into July and August, the Greek defender would have had to return to Bayer Leverkusen without this new ruling.

Zivkovic’s situation is slightly different with the Blades having the option to buy the Dutchman from Chinese club Changchun Yatai.

Chris Wilder’s side are unlikely to trigger the clause, considering he has only been used once, as an unused substitute, since his arrival in January. However, if a loan extension can be sorted out, it will give the Yorkshire club more time to make a decision on the 23-year-old’s future.