Can loan players play in the playoffs? The rules on temporary transfers explained

Jack Harrison will be available for Marcelo Bielsa against Boro on the Championship play-off semi-finals.

Who are out on loan?

Championship Leeds currently have a whopping 14 players out on loan this season, with stars plying their trade across England and Europe - including the likes of Vernin Anita, Samu Saiz and Laurens De Bock.

Play-off promotion chasing Middlesbrough have farmed out four players this campaign, including the talented striker Martin Braithwaite, young defender Sam Stubbs and forwards George Miller and Luke Armstrong.

But will any of these players be able to play for their respective clubs in the Championship and League One play-offs?

What are the rules?

In short: no.

In past years, standard loans would finish on a specified date, usually the last day of the regular season, then their registration would revert to their parent club at once - meaning the player in question would be eligible to play in play-off games.

And other emergency loans were for 90 days, meaning that when they finished they could return to their parent club and go straight into the team, in theory.

Last season, however, a new system began and all loans extended right up until the next registration period begins.

Essentially, the rule means no returning loan player can turn out for the team until the new transfer window opens.

The Football League’s player registration rules spells the situation out in black and white.

Regulation 53.1.4 states: “A player whose standard loan expires (or terminates) at the end of the season of the transferee club but prior to the completion of the league matches of his parent club (where it is a member club) will not be eligible to play in any remaining league matches in that season.”

What about the players on loan at Yorkshire clubs?

All players currently on loan at Leeds, Boro and Donny will all be able to play in the playoffs.

Including Chelsea lonaee Isiah Brown and 22-year right winger Jack Harrison for Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Grant McCann will have loan stars Tyler Smith, Mallik Wilks, Herbie Kane, Aaron Lewis and Paul Downing available for selection against Charlton in the League One play-offs.