West Brom boss Sam Allardyce has revealed that new Brexit rules have already damaged his move plans.
The Baggies had to pull out of three contracts after it became clear players would not be eligible for a work permit.
Points will be awarded for senior and junior internationals, club appearances and club sales ancestry after the UK’s separation from the European Union on New Year’s Eve.
Albion are second in the Premier League after Saturday’s heavy 4-0 loss to Arsenal and Allardyce’s search for consolidation in January is blocked by new red tape.
He said: “I’ve already found three players who were able to come here and they don’t have a license. It’s a shame.
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West Brom head coach Sam Allardyce says he will be looking to sign players on loan or short-term contracts this January in a bid to keep West Brom in the Premier League.
“As a result of the new permit rules they couldn’t come to this country, but (before) they would have done it. I have to look at that and think ‘can it be eligible?’
“That has made life a little more difficult. It is not so pandemic, it is a change of rules because of the Brexit treaty.
“We will do what we can and finding a player in this pandemic is the hardest window I have ever worked in.
“I have no respect for my players here because they all work as hard as they can but I need to get better at building the squad.
“Whatever player comes in they have to be better than we are and able to get into the team almost immediately.”