Kelly Delighted With New Squad Rules

Martin Kelly believes the
Barclays Premier League's
newly introduced 'home-grown
player' rule will present
England's most promising
talent with a greater
opportunity to make a name
for themselves.

New legislation meant that top-
flight clubs last week had to
submit a squad of up to 25
players for league games, which
needed to include at least eight
home-grown players and no
more than 17 non home-grown
players.
Home-grown players are defined
as those who, irrespective of
nationality or age, have been
affiliated to the FA or Welsh FA
for a period of three seasons or
36 months prior to their 21st
birthday.
In addition, clubs can
supplement their squads with an
unlimited number of players
under the age of 21 - the
category Kelly falls into.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I think it
could help, yes. It's the right rule
to bring in because it's good for
us to get opportunities.
"If you don't take your chance
then you don't take it, but as
long as you're given it, that's
what matters.
"That's what seems to be
happening with the home-
grown rule and it's helping quite
a bit."
Meanwhile, Kelly admits his
breakthrough into the England
U21 setup was the realisation of
a target he set for himself last
season.
The defender marked his debut
for Stuart Pearce's side with a
goal against Uzbekistan last
month and was named in the
squad for the European
Championship qualifying fixtures
with Portugal and Lithuania.
Video: Kelly reveals details of his
talks with Hodgson>>
"It was announced on the
website, which I was checking,"
explained Kelly. "The next day
when I came into training, I
received a letter to say I was in
the squad and it was a great
feeling.
"It was one of my targets last
season - when I played for the
U19s, I was telling my family I
wanted to play for the U21s.
"Going to work with a manager
like Stuart Pearce was brilliant, as
was working with all the top
young players who are coming
through and just breaking into
the senior squads at their clubs."
Despite a promising start to his
fledgling international career,
Kelly isn't daring to dream of
catching Fabio Capello's eye just
yet.
He added: "It's not on my mind at
the minute. I am just focusing on
what is happening now, which is
trying to get a place in
Liverpool's senior squad or to be
thought of when there are
injuries.
"The U21s was a good
experience and I'd love to be
given the chance to show Stuart
what I can do again."
Kelly's progression is mirrored at
club level, with the 20-year-old
having already turned out four
times for Liverpool's first team so
far this term.
"Roy's just told me to keep
working hard," he said. "It's a
great experience working with a
manager like Roy. Working with
him and the players here is the
best thing I can be doing at this
moment in my career.
"I am enjoying the fact I am
training day in, day out with such
good players and such good
management staff."