Rams face Sterjovski wait
14 Jan 2008 - 11:18:41
Derby County have been told they must win a work permit appeal if they wish to complete the signing of Mile Sterjovski.
The 28-year-old Australian international midfielder has agreed terms on an 18-month contract with the Rams after deciding to leave Turkish side Genclerbirligi.
But Sterjovski may be prevented from joining the Premier League's bottom club as he has not made enough international appearances during the last two years.
"Mile is over here and he's a good player who would improve us but bureaucracy is getting in the way," manager Paul Jewell told the club's official website.
"He has to go and apply for a work permit. We think he's worth one and the one game he missed for Australia was when they made the decision not to play any Europe-based players.
"But the people who make the decisions won't give us clearance so we've got to appeal."
Meanwhile, Jewell is hopeful of completing the signing of Rangers goalkeeper Roy Carroll in the next few days.
"Rangers wouldn't release him until they signed a new keeper themselves so hopefully we can resurrect this on Monday," he added.
"Like every manager I want to keep strengthening the squad but we can't wave a magic wand.
"There is a habit at this club of losing matches. We are trying as hard as we can to get out of it and the supporters deserve better than what they are seeing.
"I'm aware of that as much as anyone else and we will keep trying to improve the squad between now and the end of the window."