The Football League’s annual meeting started yesterday and among the issues being voted on today is potentially increasing the number of home-grown players in a match-day squad from six to nine.

Introducing Premier League B teams into the football pyramid and playing competitive fixtures on artificial surfaces are also among the subjects due to be discussed.

The annual meeting takes place over several days in Portugal and is attended by representatives from all 72 Football League clubs.

Teams currently have to field six home-grown players in the 18-man match-day squad but increasing it to nine would ensure at least two would have to be in the starting line-up.

The Football League deem home-grown players to be someone who irrespective of their nationality or age, has been registered with an English or Welsh club for three seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday.

We understand Watford are not overly concerned by the potential change.

Jonathan Bond, Lloyd Doyley, Tommie Hoban, Lewis McGugan, Sean Murray, Ikechi Anya and Troy Deeney all qualify as home-grown players and have regularly been in the Hornets’ 18 and new signing Lloyd Dyer also qualifies.

The Golden Boys are also planning to sign several British or Irish players this summer. Sunderland’s Danny Graham, Stevenage’s Luke Freeman and Derby County’s Jeff Hendrick are among those being targeted.

Watford also have a host of young professionals who would qualify as home grown.