THE Football League has given Kidderminster Harriers and fellow cash-strapped clubs a boost by changing the rules on loan signings.

Harriers will now be able to make up to 10 temporary captures next season to improve their side and cover for injuries or suspensions.

It is sure to be a useful ruling for Ian Britton's men who will only have 20 to 21 players next season with no reserve team.

Clubs can include as many as five loan signings in their matchday squad with up to four short-team and four long-term allowed on the books at any one time.

The League made the decision to double the season-long number from five at their annual meeting.

Harriers took Wolves teenager Colin Larkin on loan for most of last season.

Britton, who returned from a two-week holiday at the weekend, said: "It's good news for us as you'll find many clubs will rely quite heavily on loan acquisitions next season.

"A squad of 20-odd players is fine unless you start getting hit by injuries and suspensions. This is where the rule change will come in useful."

Another change at the meeting will ensure Division Three and especially the Conference are all the more competitive next season.

Two teams will now go down from the Football League to be replaced by the Conference champions and a play-off winner.

Non-league sides finishing second, third, fourth and fifth will fight it out over two-legged semi-finals and a one-off final.

But the promotion door will still remain closed for any of the seven or so Conference teams who have not complied with Football League ground criteria.

There will now be a suitable financial package for relegated teams which proved the idea's stumbling block last season.