Ideye to Miss Season Opener, as British Embassy Delays His Work Permit

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Sports News Sunday, August 3rd, 2014

West Brom Albion are working hard on Brown Ideye’s fitness for season opener as paper work delaying his arrival in England.

The Super Eagles striker, who joined WBA from Dynamos Kiev signed on July 18 is yet to link up with the Baggies for training because visa and work permit paperwork have not been completed.

Ideye is being kept away from West Brom training by delays with paperwork West Brom’s £10m record signing Brown Ideye fears he will miss the start of the season as a result of these difficulties.

Albion host Sunderland in boss Alan Irvine’s first game in charge on Saturday week.

But Ideye said:”I need to join the team first, then train with the squad in front of the manager and so far I have not been able to do that.

“It all depends on how quickly the paperwork can be done. But realistically it will be difficult to target the first league game of the season for my debut.”

Ideye, 25, is yet to return to England since signing for the Midlands club and is almost certainly out of Tuesday’s friendly with Port Vale.

‘’Officials at the British High Commission (in Nigeria) are still working on things,” Ideye said. “The club has fulfilled all the necessary requirements, but I have been told that the British High Commission require up to 15 days to sort this, which is preventing my ability to travel.

“The public holiday in Nigeria last week (Eid holiday) slowed things down a little bit on this side. I hope to get it sorted in the next couple of days because I can’t wait to join my new team-mates in England.”

And it is another blow for the Baggies after their other big summer signing, Joleon Lescott, limped off in Saturday’s friendly with Nottingham Forest on his return from a calf problem.

The ex-Manchester City defender, who has joined on a free transfer, lasted just 35 minutes.