Rangers will be unable to field any of their pre-contract signings for up to six games of the new season if league reconstruction plans are voted through.
STV has obtained a copy of the proposed rules for the new Scottish Professional Football League - the proposed single league body for senior football in the country.
The regulations forbid the use of trialists in any league match across all four divisions or in League Cup matches.
Rangers have completed pre-contract agreements with Cammy Bell, Nicky Clark, Nicky Law, Arnold Peralta and Jon Daly.
They had hoped to field them as trialists under current SFL rules, prior to the club's registration embargo being lifted on September 1. Under the existing regulations, Ally McCoist would be able to field two trialists per game, with each player eligible to feature in a maximum of three fixtures.
Should the vote pass however, the club will only be able to play their future signings in the Challenge Cup, reserve games or in non-competitive matches.
That means the players would have to sit out four league fixtures and at least one League Cup game, potentially two if Rangers advance to the second round.
Rule 88 of the proposed rulebook states: "Trialists are not under any circumstances eligible to play for a club in a league match or League Cup match."
The rulebook says trialists are eligible to play in "official matches" but goes on to say: "For the purposes of this rule, official matches do not include league matches or League Cup matches."
Scottish Football League clubs will have their final say on the creation of the new SPFL on June 12.
Twenty-two from 29 clubs must vote in favour of the plans. Rangers are not able to vote as associate members of the SFL.
With Scottish Premier League teams having already unanimously backed the proposal, a successful ballot will lead to the implementation of the SPFL rulebook in time for the 2013/14 season.
The new SPFL rules have no restriction on the number of players aged over 21 in squads. Current SFL regulations forbid more than 22 being registered by a club at any given time.
