NORTHWICH Victoria can capture new recruits after a ban stopping the club signing players was lifted.

The Football Conference ended the nine-day embargo on Friday, paving the way for Dino Maamria to bring in fresh faces as he bids to take his team off the bottom of the table.

“It’s a huge relief,” said the Vics boss.

“I’ve not had any room for manoeuvre and with the amount of injuries we’ve had that has been a problem for me.”

And the Tunisian has wasted no time fine tuning his squad, circulating four names to other clubs and showing two others the exit.

His mind was made up following Vics’ embarrassing Cheshire FA Senior Cup exit at Woodley Sports on Thursday.

As a result, Mat Bailey, Paul Barratt, Michael Jones and Richie Sutton have all been told their future lies elsewhere.

Trialists Mark King and Phil Marsh departed before yesterday’s home defeat against Weymouth.

“People have to go before others can come in,” said Maamria.

“I think I’ve seen enough of some players to know they are not good enough to help us move up the table.”

He also has decisions to make on two others.

Michael Carr, who missed the defeat against the Terras with a chest infection, is due to return to Morecambe on Monday.

A month-to-month deal for midfielder Michael Byrne is also due for review this week.

Meanwhile Vics must decide whether to go ahead with their planned appeal against the transfer embargo.

They were fined a nominal fee for not providing paperwork detailing financial information to the Football Conference on time.

The club may seek a refund.

No date has been set for a hearing although it is likely to be weeks, not days, away.

The Football Conference has introduced a new system this season, designed in tandem with the FA, for the 68 clubs in its Premier, North and South divisions, to help them keep on top of their debts.

Clubs must report to league bosses every quarter on what they owe HM Revenue and Customs and are required to show they have paid up within two months or have a written agreement scheduling the payments.

In Vics’ case it is the latter.