That was also how I read it - Thanks.  I was lulled into thinking it might be more flexible on signing  from the early Notebool entries.  Although I do not necessaily see why it shouldn't be allowed other than for ease of Mark's checking (and this may be quite a considerable reason!).

If I sign an apprentice now, before Game 7, will this player's cost be eligible for the Oldie conversion costs recouped after Game 10?

EPL Predictions

Arsenal 1 - 0 West Ham (just because Arsenal are so so boring to watch!)
Bournemouth 3 - 1 Fulham
Brentford 0 - 3  Man. City
Wolves 0 - 2 Brighton
Leeds United 2 - 2 Tottenham
Aston Villa  2 - 0 Burnley
Everton 1 - 2 Crystal Palace
ManUtd  3 - 0  Sunderland
Chelsea 1 - 1 Liverpool
Newcastle 3 - 0 Nottingham Forest

All done, I need the cash to compete with the big beasts of Division 1.

I don't mind the -96EL broken leg, but the scenario Steve paints is both very unlucky and not within a managers's control.  Random injuries when a player is >=1EL perhaps should be removed, with the risk of injuires only occurring when running on empty 0EL or less?  This removes Steve's scenario from consideration and all within the managers consideration of risk.