SHAKERS boss Andy Preece has begun his recruitment drive for the new season armed by new Football League rules over loan signings.

Preece has already made enquiries about several players and hopes to have at least one in harness for the opening fixture against Oxford United.

When the new campaign kicks off on August 10, clubs will be able to take as many as eight players on loan during the season with up to four at any one time.

Each team will be allowed to take four 'long term' players, which could mean a full season, and on four shorter term contracts.

And of the players on loan at any one time no more than five can be in the 16-player matchday squad.

It is a system that is sure to be utilised to the full by lower division clubs who will be working on a tight budget after coming out of administration last month.

The acquisition of strikers Jon Newby, Colin Cramb and, last season, Harpal Singh, show just what an effective way of bolstering a small squad this can be.

Preece, who has been successful in picking up some quality players on loan in the past, said: "We will probably be utilising the system quite a bit.

"It's a positive way of bringing in fresh faces to the club and I've already spoken to one or two clubs about players. Hopefully one will be in for the start of the season and then a couple after that.

"But if bigger clubs are going to help out smaller ones by loaning them players they may also need to help them with the players' wages."

Preece is currently looking at starting the season with a 19-man first team squad which gives little leeway should the Shakers suffer with injuries and suspensions like last season.

Although the club are out of administration, money is sure to be tight and there is not likely to be a crop of trialists on view in pre-season training - as in previous seasons.

"At the moment we won't be bringing in any players on trial," added Preece.

"It isn't worth it at the moment. We could bring in players, find we like them but wouldn't be able to take them on. So there's no point unless things change and someone comes into the club to inject some money in.

"Obviously I've looked at the lists and there are a number of players who are available that I'd love to bring in if money was available.

"But as it stands we will have 19 full-time professionals, and three of those are very young lads."