WORCESTER City manager Richard Dryden says the new seven-substitute rule is hampering his attempts to bring in a new striker.

Following the change to increase the number of players on the bench from five to seven, the St George’s Lane chief is being frustrated in his hunt for new talent.

“Clubs need to fill their bench,” Dryden said. “When they have injuries it is hard to persuade them to let players go when seven subs are needed on the bench.

“Hopefully over the next few weeks I’ll be able to bring in a couple of players, but at the moment it’s difficult.”

Dryden has already seen his hopes of signing young Bristol Rovers striker Ben Hunt on loan dashed. The 19-year-old limped off with a calf injury after just 12 minutes of a reserve clash against Cardiff.

With the likelihood of Hunt being out for several weeks, the City boss is having to look elsewhere.

“I’m looking at a couple of players and hopefully something could happen next week,” he said.