AVENUE boss Mark Bower believes the Football League's transfer restrictions are affecting the movement of players in the top two tiers of the non-League game.

The end of emergency loans this season means clubs are hanging on to bigger squads as cover – and that is having a knock-on effect for those lower down the pyramid hoping to borrow surplus talent.

Former Bradford City skipper Bower said: "The transfer window in the Football League is definitely causing problems at our level and restricting movement of players.

"Clubs are not releasing players or sending them out on loan, so there's hardly any movement.

"A lot of players are not getting enough game time but their clubs are reluctant to let them leave or send them out on loan because they won't be able to get any replacements if and when they get suspensions and injuries.

"It's definitely filtering down to our division and the one above. We're actively looking for players to strengthen our squad and I've spoken to a lot of managers at all levels over the last couple of weeks and there's not too much happening.

"That makes it difficult and it's very frustrating because we want to bring in two or three new faces."

Bower took over with Avenue at the foot of the National League North table and on a run of nine consecutive defeats. He stopped the rot with a point at home to AFC Telford but they suffered another loss to Chorley last week.

The supporters are restless and expected the new broom to make sweeping changes to the playing squad.

What the fans do not see is Bower, and right-hand man Danny Boshell, working frantically behind the scenes and using their contacts in the game to spend hour after hour on the phone.

"I cannot stress just how difficult it is at this time of year to bring new signings to the club," said Bower.

"We have got some targets in our sights and we're talking to clubs but there isn't a waiting room of players that we can just call in.

"It's not as easy as clicking your fingers and we're conscious that it will take time to land our targets.

"There's no mileage in taking anyone, just for the sake of it. We need players that will lift the levels and boost the experience of the players we have here.

"We're in for a battle so it's no place for 18 or 19-year-old lads with promise. It wouldn't be fair to them to throw them into that environment."