Albion manager Chris Hughton has highlighted in today's Argus the part being played in the club's summer recruitment by the Premier League homegrown rule requirements.

Andy Naylor reports on the quotas, their impact on the Seagulls and how the guidelines could change in the future.

When and why was a homegrown quota introduced?

It came into force ahead of the 2010-11 season, when Albion ended their stay at Withdean by winning the League One title.

The Seagulls were not affected at that stage by the initiative, designed to help Premier League clubs develop British talent instead of concentrating all their efforts on foreign markets.

England's poor performances at World Cups and European Championships were a key consideration.

What are the rules?

Premier League clubs are allowed a maximum of 25 players in their first team squad. Lists have to be submitted after the summer transfer window shuts and can be revised at the end of the January window.

Eight of those players must meet the homegrown criteria, which means a player must have been on the books of a club affiliated to the Football Association for at least three years before they turn 21.

So they do not necessarily have to be English?

No. Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas is a good example. He came through arsenal's academy and counts as homegrown.

That would also be the case with Albion's young Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez (below), who is being loaned out to Forest Green Rovers for the season, if he eventually progresses into the Premier League squad.

The Argus: Albion and the rest of the Premier League clubs can also use as many under-21s as they like, irrespective of nationality and in addition to the 25-man squad.

Who counted as homegrown for Albion last season.

They had nine homegrown players in their Premier League squad between September and January.

They were: Tim Krul, Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy, Connor Goldson, Liam Rosenior, Dale Stephens, Steve Sidwell, Solly March and Sam Baldock.

This reduced to eight from January, when Sidwell was omitted due to injury.

What has changed?

Sidwell and Liam Rosenior have been released.

Goldson has joined Glasgow Rangers. Although Albion indicated their interest in keeping Krul, the Dutchman is looking elsewhere in pursuit of more game time. He could sign for Fulham.

What about Glenn Murray?

He now fits the homegrown criteria after a long-running bid by Albion to amend his status. Murray was at Workington Reds and Carlisle before spending an early part of his career in the US.

So where does that leave Albion?

With seven homegrown players - Murray, latest signing Jason Steele, Dunk, Duffy, Stephens, March and Baldock.

So they need to sign one more to meet the criteria?

Yes, if they want to name a 25-man squad. It is no coincidence that goalkeepers like Steele and David Button have been targeted, together with the versatile Paddy McNair.

Albion's first two summer signings were foreign (Leon Balogun and Florin Andone below left).

The Argus: Fewer than eight homegrown players are permitted but the squad side reduces accordingly, eg to 23 if you have six.

In other words, you cannot have more than 17 non-homegrown players in the squad.

What impact does this have on the transfer market.

It further inflates the value of highly-rated, homegrown-qualified players, especially if the interested club needs a target to comply with the homegrown rule.

Will the homegrown rule change?

It could. Former FA chairman Greg Dyke wanted the homegrown figure increased from eight to 12 by 2020, with at least two players required to have come through the academy of the club they play for.

Dyke was also aiming to close the Fabregas-type "loophole" by reducing the three-year, FA-affiliated qualifying age from 21 to 18.

Fabregas joined Arsenal from the Barcelona academy when he was 16.