The Football Association are in talks with the Premier League to avoid a clash between the FA Cup final and league fixtures at the end of the season.

Last year's final between winners Manchester City and Stoke City coincided with a round of Premier League matches.

"We're talking to the Premier League about whether there's a way to create a Saturday when the FA Cup can stand on its own," Alex Horne, General Secretary of the FA, told BBC Sport.

"We have a situation with international player release, and particularly, in 2013 when the UEFA Champions League final is to be played at Wembley, where we know it can't be the last game of the season.

"It won't be the last Saturday of the season but I think we can achieve a situation where it's on its own on a Saturday and I think it's important it's given that space."

Horne also suggested that the FA Cup final could be played in the evening.

"We're talking about moving [the final] to an early evening slot and I think what that does is enable all of the football that's played across the country at 3pm on a Saturday not to be affected by the FA Cup final so that the supporters watching and playing in their local games can get back and enjoy the FA Cup or stay in their club houses," he added.

Ther fourth round of the cup will be played this weekend.