EDDIE Howe fears that FIFA’s plan to ban clubs from signing loan players outside of the transfer window could disadvantage Burnley in the years to come.

Football League clubs currently have special dispensation to make ‘emergency’ loan signings after the normal transfer window shuts on both August 31 and January 31, but FIFA look set to remove that privilege.

The Football League oppose the change and have still not given up hope that some elements of the transfer window system could be relaxed by the time the loan window is due to be removed at the start of the 2014/15 season.

But they have now written to all 72 of their clubs to inform them of FIFA’s plans and Howe knows the changes could potentially affect Burnley if they are still in the Football League at that point – even if their ambitions remain to secure promotion to the Premier League by then.

“I think it’s very much a case of wait and see what happens,” said the Burnley boss about the possible rule changes.

“There does to be a lot of rule changes that have come in in recent times.

“They keep rejigging the loan system and transfer windows – I’m not so sure on the thinking behind it all really because it just seems as if your hands are being tied everywhere you turn.

“I just think it suits the bigger clubs and the richer clubs who can have bigger squads.

“From our point of view we’re not the biggest spenders in the division.

“I’d like to see a bit more flexibility.”

Howe used the cur-rent regulations to good effect when he brought in Sam Vokes on loan from Wolves last month, but the Clarets often struggle to compete financially with many of the other clubs in the Championship.

“It all revolves around money,” said Howe.

“That’s the battle, and we’re trying to be successful probably a different way to the richer clubs and be very selective about the players we bring in and the loan players we bring in.

“There does come a time when you need to move quickly with a small squad, in an emergency.

“It just makes it a little bit more difficult and will probably encourage people to hold bigger squads, which again have a financial cost and implication.”