Ian Appleyard: League clubs could profit from new top-flight restrictions

From now on, top-flight managers are only allowed to register a maximum of 25 players and must include a minimum of eight 'homegrown' players in that group.

Wenger has based a large chunk of Arsenal's future on the development of foreign players so, inevitably, describes the move as a 'disaster' for English football.

Ferguson, meanwhile, complains about the problems it will give managers in relation to injured players. For example, should he include injured stars such as Owen Hargreaves in his squad or wait until January when the transfer window re-opens and the Premier League allow squads to be revised?

Significantly, there has been no limit placed on the number of players aged under 21, a rule which the Premier League believes will encourage clubs to blood more young English talent.

However, a 'homegrown' player does not necessarily have to be born in England. The official definition given by the Premier League is that a homegrown player is one who 'irrespective of nationality or age, has been affiliated to the FA or Welsh FA for a period of three seasons or 36 months prior to their 21st birthday.'

This means that players such as Spanish international Cesc Fabregas are considered 'homegrown' as he has been registered at Arsenal since the age of 16.

If the flow of young talent into the Football League already this season is anything to go by, English youngsters will again have to drop down a level or two in order to show their worth. And this, almost inevitably, will slow their progression because they are not working on a day-to-basis with top class internationals.

A quick glance around the clubs in our region shows that most managers have already snapped up a young Premier League player on loan with the hope of polishing a rough diamond.

Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley, 19, is back at Sheffield United for a second spell after impressing on loan towards the end of last season.

Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason, 19, has joined Doncaster Rovers who have a solid reputation for developing youngsters in the right way under manager Sean O'Driscoll.

Leeds United have signed winger Sanchez Watt and midfielder Adam Clayton from Arsenal and Manchester City, respectively, while Barnsley manager Mark Robins has loaned defender Kieran Tripper from Manchester City and also pulled off a coup by taking Uruguayan international Diego Arismendi on loan from Stoke City.

Teenage midfielder John Bostock marked his loan switch from Tottenham to Hull City with a stunning goal against Swansea City on the opening day of the season.

Cardiff City's midweek acquisition of Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy – frozen out of manager Roberto Mancini's squad – underlined another way in which clubs in the Football League can take advantage of this situation

A number of clubs have squads well in excess of 25 players and will have no option but to exclude established professionals.

Of course, the majority of League clubs will be unable to afford the wages for a player of Bellamy's stature.

However, if top-flight clubs have players unable to even sit on the bench, what do they have to lose by allowing them to leave temporarily and paying the majority of their wages?

Come August 31, when the new rule kicks in, it will be interesting to see what happens.