Squad system could leave stars in the stands

New Premier League squad guidelines that limit the number of players available to play could result in millionaire stars kicking their heels in the stands all season, unable to swich clubs because of transfer regulations.

The new rules state that a club must use a squad of 25 senior pros for the first half of the Premier League season and that eight of them must be 'home grown', which means they must have spent three years on the books of an English or Welsh club before they turned 21.

Managers can also name an unlimited number of under-21 players in addition to the first 25. The squad can be altered in the January transfer window, allowing new signings to join and injured players to return.

But, according to the Daily Mail the new rules, agreed last year, mean that players like Jonathan Woodgate of Spurs, Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves (above) and Andy Johnson of Fulham - who are all returning from long term injuries - may find themselves left out of their club's plans until January.

And, at clubs with a bloated playing staff, other big names may struggle to make the cut. Last season Manchester City had 33 players in their ranks and after adding several to the roster this season the Mail reports that the likes of Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz may be left out of the Premier League squad.

One of the main problems for clubs is the rule governing 'home grown' players. At least eight of the squad must be 'home grown', if the club doesn't have eight such players then they cannot name a squad of 25.

Chelsea and Liverpool are both affected by this problem. Chelsea have just four senior 'home grown' players and Liverpool five. That means they will have just 21 and 22 senior pros available to them respectively - plus players from the under-21 ranks.

The aim of the rules is to encourage young domestic players to come through the ranks and to stop the biggest clubs buying up all the best players. However Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said he was sceptical about the rules and feared that it would undermine competition for places.

"I think if young players are good enough they'll come through," he said. "You get some kids who will get in the 25 and don't work on their game. You've got to deserve to be there, rather than just having them for the sake of it, token players." ·