Fulham will be reduced to loans only in the January transfer window after the Football League enforced a transfer embargo.

The club guessed ahead when it did a pile of business in the summer fully expecting the FL outcome.

Eleven players were brought in for an approximate £8 million outlay that included loans - so any new faces wanted by the next man in charge has to be by the latter route.

The Whites are the first west London club to fall foul of the new tough rules - but it doesn't bode well for neighbours QPR, who on the face of their debts, face a worst outcome.

Getting ahead: Matt Smith of Fulham (R)

A Fulham club statement said: "The embargo arises as the Club made an adjusted loss greater than the £6m limit allowed by the Football League in the year following relegation.

"The Football League has since recognised this limit is low, especially for clubs recently relegated with Premier League overheads in place, and the limit has now increased to £13m per annum.

"Unfortunately, Fulham's embargo falls in the final year of the previous limit, but the Club does not anticipate being in breach in future years.

Birds have flown: Craven Cottage

"The action imposed by the League has been anticipated since the summer, which saw a sustained period of investment in the team with that understanding.

"The purchase of players such as Ross McCormack and Matt Smith (in summer 2014), to enable the Club to compete effectively in the League, were the result of that investment."

The embargo pertains to only the next window, which means Fulham will be able to buy again in the summer.