Boss Richie Barker has revealed his summer squad building plans were “massively affected” as a result of Crawley being put under a transfer embargo.

It emerged this week that Reds were prevented from bringing in any players during the summer after exceeding their playing budget under the rules of Financial Fair Play.

Clubs in League One are not allowed to spend more than 60% of their turnover on players’ wages with Barker admitting a miscalculation took them slightly over that limit.

Crawley initially claimed the embargo had lasted only five days but Barker has now confirmed it was in place for “about a month” and played havoc with his efforts to reinforce his squad, with attempts to bring in the likes of Marlon Pack, David Worrall and Matt Tubbs all falling through.

Barker said: “I tried to keep it to myself which from a personal point of view wasn’t easy because I was continually being asked why I was not signing any players. The reality is I was working hard to try to bring in players to improve the squad and the fact we couldn’t actually register anyone was not my fault.

“We’ve managed to solve the problem now but it massively affects what you can do in terms of strengthening your squad when you are under an embargo like that.”

The embargo meant Crawley began the new season with just 20 professionals – including three players who have yet to make their league debuts – and were unable to fill the bench for their opening match of the season against Coventry due to injuries and unavailability.

Barker hopes to bring in at least one player on loan now the embargo has been lifted but any deal will not be done until after tomorrow night’s televised clash at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He added: “We’ve made some progress on that front and are starting to get some positive responses from people but because finances are quite tight still it means we have got to make sure we get the right person in for the right money.

“I am also not a massive fan of bringing someone in for just a month. I would prefer to bring someone in for three or four months as I want them to be part of what we are doing here but that can make it more complicated as it limits you to someone who is surplus to requirements elsewhere.”