Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has refused to rule out the possibility of playing more than one round of matches on foreign soil.

The radical proposal to extend the season to 39 games from 2010-11 has divided football, with top-flight clubs in favour of the move and some supporters' groups up in arms over the issue.

The plan currently envisages only one extra round of games hosted by five major cities across the world during one weekend in January.

But there are fears global success could lead to more overseas games being introduced.

Scudamore said: "You can't sit here in the job I have and say never. We've said it is a six to ten-year deal and it will be three years before it starts.

"It allows us to grasp the globalisation nettle, which we cannot ignore. It is my duty not to ignore it. I would be criticised wholly if we let the league stray into the slow lane while others passed us in the fast lane. We have to do something. It is a strategic play."

However, Scudamore admitted any expansion of the scheme would be hindered by the current fixture list.

He added: "I don't envisage this being able to be expanded, not within the current structures. The calendar just would not allow it.

"We would be, by doing this, at the absolute limit in terms of being able to fit this into the calendar."

Scudamore claims creating an 'international round' is crucial to avoid big clubs going it alone.

He believes if the Premier League do not act now as a single entity, the top clubs will boost their bank balances by playing more games on foreign soil.

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