Watford did not oppose the change to the Football League's rules that bought foreign loans into line with the rules for British players at its annual meeting in Portugal last week, the Watford Observer understands.

Football League sides can only sign eight British-based loan players in a season, play five in a match-day squad and bring in four from one club.

Watford signed 15 loan players last season and ten from Udinese which was allowed because the previous rules considered foreign loan players as 'permanent transfers'.

It has been clear for more than six months that the Football League was going to ask its members to vote on the matter.

But even if the rules hadn’t changed, the Hornets had no intention of signing a similar number of loan players this season.

Watford’s transfer policy last summer was heavily criticised by sections of the media and football as a whole, but we understand the Hornets did not oppose the rule change when it was 'unanimously' voted for on Friday.