Premiership: Gregory faces Balaban red-tape delay

Aston Villa manager John Gregory has revealed he faces a significant delay in his bid to land Croatia international striker Bosko Balaban.

Villa agreed a £6m fee for the 22-year-old Dynamo Zagreb player but Gregory does not expect the player’s work permit application to be successful as he has not been an international regular for the past two years.

Balaban has played in his country’s last seven internationals and is expected to feature against Ireland tonight - and Gregory will use that to support his appeal if the initial application is turned down.

Gregory said: "It is a bit complicated and it will probably be rejected because he has not played enough international games over the last two years.

"But he has been an ever present since he was first selected. He has played a 100 per cent of the games. Because he is only 22, he has only just got into the national side.

"He couldn’t have played over the last two years as he is so young. We might have to make an appeal which will take slightly longer.

"The sooner he is ready the better because I think he is going to be a terrific addition to our squad."