2000 Brighton fans must wear masks and not sing or shout too much

It is understood the top-flight clubs have signed off on new protocols ahead of fans returning to Premier League matches this weekend for the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March.

They include supporters wearing face coverings in all areas of the stadium and to be considerate of those around them when singing and shouting.

West Ham’s match at home to Manchester United on Saturday evening will be the first in the Premier League to welcome spectators since March.

Others follow over the rest of the weekend, including the Tottenham v Arsenal derby match on Sunday and Brighton vs Southampton at the Amex Stadium on Monday night.

Can 2,000 fans make a difference to Brighton's performance? "We hope so," said Albion head coach Graham Potter. "But they don’t physically kick the ball, we still have to play well and against a very good opponent that is used to playing against crowds and Premier League teams.

"It’s not just a given that we turn that into a result. But clearly we are excited to have them back. The most important relationship at the club is the one between the supporters and the players.

"That’s where you can generate the most feeling, where you can get the advantage. It’s where you get the memories, the emotion, it’s so important. To have them back no matter how many it is, it’s a really positive step."

Premier League clubs are also understood to be ready to offer up their facilities to assist with the national coronavirus immunisation effort.

Brighton were also one of the club's that offered the facilities of the Amex Stadium as a testing centre at the beginning of the pandemic.

The Premier League protocols on face coverings go beyond what is mandated by the Government.

It is hoped by taking these steps, it will put the Premier League’s clubs in the best possible place to convince Government that it is ready to be involved in trials with greater capacities than those allowed by the tier system.

Currently no professional football club is in tier one, where capacities are set at a maximum of 4,000. Half of Premier League clubs, including Brighton, are in tier two, where capacities cannot go beyond 2,000, with the other half in tier three, where spectators remain barred.

"I understand the competitive advantage," Potter added. "We are in the midst of coming out of a global pandemic, sometimes you have to zoom out a little bit from that.

"We’re at a stage now where football needs supporters back and however we start that process, the better. If there was a situation where you’re playing against a team that’s in a tier three area and they can’t have supporters in, it’s not the end of the world for me.

"Whatever is good for the game and gets supporters back is best. If you’re talking about a full Amex compared to an empty stadium then yes, there is an advantage, but there’s 2000."