SAINTS are set to confirm their fifth loan signing of the season with Joe Rothwell joining from AFC Bournemouth.

He joins Ryan Fraser, Flynn Downes, Mason Holgate, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, although the latter features an obligation to buy if promoted.

Saints are still in the market for forward reinforcements and have been linked with a number of players on loan. 

What are the EFL rules for Championship clubs registering on-loan players? We set out exactly what it means for Saints... 

What are the limits placed on Saints signing loan players? 

Championship clubs can sign and register more than five loan players but they are only allowed to name a maximum of five in any matchday squad. 

Clubs are required to submit a 25-man squad list to the EFL with only players classified as under-21 exempt from this requirement. 

This means if clubs have more than five loan players registered, circumstances may arise where they are not able to fill a 20-man matchday squad.

Players under 21 who are on loan are not exempt and must also be named on the EFL squad list, taking up one of the 25 spots. 

For the 2023-24 season, this is classed as players who are born on or after January 1, 2002. 

For Saints, this includes the likes of Shea Charles, Sam Edozie, Gavin Bazunu and more. 

Saints only named 21 players of a potential 25 in their squad list in September, including the since departed Paul Onuachu. 

Saints are unlikely to hit their limit of 25 players - the only complications come on matchdays with a minimum of one loan player required to be left out.

Can Saints sign another player on loan from the same club?

Saints have been linked with a potential move for AFC Bournemouth attacker David Brooks during the January transfer window. 

EFL regulations stipulate that a club may sign no more than four players on loan from the same club, with a maximum of two being over the age of 23. 

The deadline for determining a player’s age in this respect is June 30 before the season in which the loan takes place. 

This means Saints could take another senior player on loan from Bournemouth, or any of the clubs from which they currently loan one player. 

What are the rules on clubs recalling loan players?

Standard loan transfers are set for either half a season - the time between the two transfer windows - or for a full season.

Any recall clause requiring the early termination of a loan can only be included in a full-season loan and can only be activated during the winter transfer window.

If no recall clause is included, any other early termination of a loan must be by way of a mutual agreement in writing.

This is between the parent club, the loan club, and the player, and can only be completed after 28 days have passed and during a transfer window.