Motherwell FC: Steelmen could be playing in top league of 14 clubs next season

The proposal – which is planned to replace the exisiting 12-10-10-10 four-league set-up – was put forward when a 15-strong group of League Two representatives met twice last week to begin talks over potential changes.

Should the SPFL stay at 42 clubs and prizemoney distribution remain the same, any plan requires 75 per cent backing.

But no alternative proposal would get the 15 votes needed in the bottom two tiers if the League Two clubs vote as planned.

The picture changes slightly if the number of clubs was to be boosted by the addition of Highland League champions Brora Rangers and Lowland League equivalents Kelty Hearts.

If this happens, any plan would need the backing of 11 of the 12 Premiership clubs, 17 in total from the top flight and Championship, and 32 of the current 42 in all divisions.

Even then, just one other side would have to vote with those in League Two to block the plans.

Having three divisions of 14 is being strongly considered by a reconstruction taskforce part led by Hearts supremo Ann Budge, whose bottom placed Premiership side would be saved from relegation if it was introduced.