Sakiri could be the next Claret

The Macedonian midfielder was at Turf Moor yesterday and has agreed a one year deal with the club but the initial application for a work permit was turned down. Macedonia are currently listed 74^th in the FIFA list and players need to come from a country in the top seventy.

Liverpool are similarly struggling and have just lost an appeal to take Chilean Mark Gonzales because his country are placed 72^nd.

This means it all goes to an appeal at which Steve Cotterill will have to make a presentation to convince the panel that Sakiri should be granted a work permit. This is a similar position to which Gary Megson found himself in two years ago when he signed the player for West Brom.

The panel will be made up of a representative from the department that decides on work permits along with two former professional footballers and given the criteria it is far from cut and dried.

If we do get a work permit for the player then he should be free to play against Coventry on Saturday if selected, there will be no problem with international clearance with him having played his football in England last season.

All now depends on the appeal hearing on Thursday.