Clubs consider squad options

Tuesday, 27/07/2010

After the introduction of Premier League restrictions on squad size and selection, various high profile players could be ruled out of the coming campaign till January.

Each top tier outfit has to register a squad of 25 players. Eight of those players must be 'homegrown', which means having spent at least three years with an English or Welsh club before the age of 21.

This can be supplemented with an unlimited amount of players under the age of 21 and encourages the use of young 'homegrown' players.

In the era of squad rotation, the rule change has proved difficult for some of the bigger clubs.

Tottenham's Jonathan Woodgate faces a race against time to prove his fitness to Harry Redknapp. His last appearance for Spurs came in the 9-1 defeat of Wigan last November.

Another injury-plagued England player is Owen Hargreaves, whose Man United career looks all but over - having played just one minute of first-team football in just under two years.

Team-mate Anderson, who suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in February, isn't expected to be fit until September at earliest. He too could be ruled out of United's season till January.

Man City have a slightly different problem - with 33 first team members, they are going to have to shed eight players for the squad. This number will obviously increase if they want to continue their summer recruitment drive.

The likes of Roque Santa Cruz, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Craig Bellamy could all be making for pastures new - even though the latter two are homegrown.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have only four players who qualify for the homegrown rule. Established foreign players, such as wantaway Ricardo Carvalho, may have to be moved on to free up the necessary space.

* What do you think? Are these rules prohibitive, or do they have the best interests of the England team at heart?

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