RUPERT LOWE has branded plans to limit the number of foreign players in the Premiership as "ridiculous".

The Southampton chairman believes a UEFA idea to insist that half of every match-day squad is home-grown would be bad news for the English game.

He said: "It is a ridiculous idea thought up by people who know little about running football clubs."

The thinking behind the plan is to encourage clubs to grow their own talent and it is argued that the national team would be strengthened by an influx of Englishmen in the Premiership.

It would mean that Gordon Strachan, and every other manager, would always have to ensure eight of his 16-man squad is English.

So far this season, Saints have used 13 foreign players and just seven Englishmen, meaning the balance of the squad would have to be quite significantly modified.

Last weekend's matchday squad of 16 for the Newcastle game contained only six Englishmen - Wayne Bridge, Chris Marsden, Brett Ormerod, James Beattie, Paul Williams and Kevin Davies - the latter two sitting on the substitutes' bench.

Lowe said he would welcome more local talent, but stressed that the priority was always to capture the best players available.

"Our job is to bring in the best players from all over the world. If we can do it locally then we will, but it should not be forced upon us by some arbitrary rules," he admitted.

UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh said: "It would ensure for example that young talent in England would be allowed to flourish and that in turn would also help countries develop their national teams."

Although the ruling would have an effect on Saints, it would hit other Premier League clubs even harder, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fulham and Chelsea particularly reliant on overseas talent.

Lowe is also keen to be free of restrictions with regard to work permits.

He has written to Home Office minister Beverley Hughes urging a review of the current regulations, but has been told they will not be discussed until the end of the season.

Saints have previously had difficulty securing a work permit for striker Marian Pahars and have recently been frustrated by the refusal of a similar document for promising young striker Andrei Pereplyotkin.

The Russian, who is rated highly by Strachan, is allowed to play in academy matches, but the rules exclude him from playing for the reserves or first team.

Last month Pereplyotkin smacked a hat-trick in an under- 19s academy win against Bristol City and four against Crystal Palace the following week.

He was again on target last weekend in a 2-2 draw against Coventry at Staplewood.

Lowe's campaign for a relaxation of the laws is aimed at producing a level playing field throughout Europe in transfer dealings and is backed by the Premier League, the FA and the Football League.

But he is disappointed by the speed at which the government have reacted to his concerns, with British clubs constantly losing out on foreign targets because of the restrictions.

Lowe also praised the part fans have played in the club's recent run of good form.

A record crowd of 32,061 enjoyed the 1-1 draw against Newcastle a week after more than 31,000 had crammed in for the 2-0 victory against Birmingham.

"I was delighted to see so many fans enjoying the game. Their support is a vital element of the club," said Lowe.