Chesterfield boss Martin Allen says the loan system is good for clubs like his.

The former West Ham midfielder wrote for the Daily Mail: "We know there are consequences when you drop out of the Football League. We've had to cut £21,000 a week from the wage bill since I arrived in the summer, but we have recently had to make six players on the periphery of the team available for transfer so we can bring new ones in. It's at times like this that the loan system is particularly useful.

"It's got a bad name among those who only have eyes for the Premier League, because of the way that some of the biggest clubs stockpile players, to prevent competitors buying them, then farm them out on loan for years.

"In our world, the loan system is a lifeline, giving players experience and adding quality to the team. As a manager, it's where you look to build a reputation for coaching players and knowing how to help them make the next step."