File
Davis

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Jamaican international Claude Davis will have to await the decision of the UK Home Office appeals committee in regard to securing a work permit, as he attempts a £3 million move to promoted English Premier League team Derby County.

Davis, now 28, seemed set to avoid relegation with his former team Sheffield United, but the four-year deal has hit a snag due to fact that the defender has failed to appear in 75 per cent of the country's international teams games over the last two years, a mandatory stipulation for the granting of a work permit.

The 6ft. 3ins. last man has not made an appearance for the national team since playing against the United States back in April of last year, as the Jamaica Football Federation and new national technical director, Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, have decided to focus on building a local-based squad as part of the preparation for next year's World Cup qualifiers.

Referred to appeals committee

Davis' application for a permit has, however, not been turned down as Derby have instead referred the issue straight to the appeals committee, which also grant work permits in special instances.

"We knew that he did not meet the requirements so we just sent the issue straight to the appeal committee and we expect a favourable result," explained Derby County football consultant and football ambassador, Craig Brown, in a telephone interview with The Gleaner yesterday. "This is a common issue that we face. We have some Americans on the team with the same issue, it generally isn't a problem."

Brown added: "He (Davis) has had two permits granted before and while we can't say for sure what their ruling will be, we have checked all the boxes and we don't foresee any issues."

The centre half was a record signing for Sheffield last season with an identical sum, but managed only 18 starts after picking up and then aggravating a knee injury during the season.

Davis, who must also pass a medical exam, is currently training with Derby County and is expected join them on their tour of Italy next week, once the permit is granted.

The appeals committee is expected to make a ruling on the issue by early next week.