As Notts County prepare to host league leaders Stockport County this weekend, their squad selection will be shaped by specific EFL regulations on homegrown players. The rules, which are enforced for all League One, League Two and Championship clubs, require a minimum of eight homegrown players to be registered in a club's squad, with at least seven named in every matchday selection.

A homegrown player is defined as someone who was registered with any club in England or Wales for three seasons, or 36 months, before the end of the season in which they turn 21. This classification is not based on nationality. Players like Cyprus international Hector Kyprianou, who came through the Watford academy, are considered homegrown under these guidelines. The rules apply only to league matches and not to cup competitions like the FA Cup or EFL Trophy.

Squad list requirements

Clubs must also include at least one club-developed player on their squad list or team sheet for each match after the summer transfer window closes. A club-developed player is one who has been registered with the club for at least 12 months before the end of their under-19 season. Failing to name such a player results in a reduced number of substitutes. In League One and League Two, the bench would be limited to six players instead of the usual seven.

For Notts County, currently 18th in League One with 10 points from 10 games, these regulations are a constant factor in team selection. Their recent form shows three wins and two losses from the last five outings, including a 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday last time out. The upcoming clash with Stockport, who sit 12 points clear at the top, is a significant test. The team's overall record this season stands at two wins, four draws, and four losses, having scored 10 goals and conceded 13. Their recent results include a 2-0 defeat at Wycombe on Saturday 17 October, a 5-1 win over Nottingham Forest U21, a 1-2 loss to Oxford United, a 2-1 victory over Grimsby, and a 2-0 defeat at Reading.

Players under the age of 21 do not count towards the 22-man squad limit in any EFL division. Additionally, goalkeepers are exempt from the squad list caps in League One and League Two, though they must still meet the homegrown criteria if selected. These regulations are separate from the Premier League's own system. Notts County's management will be factoring all this in as they finalise their team to face the league leaders at Meadow Lane on Saturday 24 October.