Aston Villa are "optimistic" Croatian international Bosko Balaban will play for the club despite his work-permit application being rejected.
An appeal will be heard in Sheffield next Thursday when the club hopes to persuade immigration officials of Balaban's international potential.
Operations director Steve Stride told the club's official website today: "We were expecting this development really. In the initial stage, they look at the criteria in black and white.
"When you do that, he hasn't played in 75 per cent of internationals over the last two years.
"But at the appeal, we can point out that he has been ever-present over the last 12 months and is now seen as one of Croatia's main stars.
Villa agreed a £6 million sterling signing-fee with Dinamo Zagreb for the 22-year-old striker.