Obua on course for work permit

NEW Hearts signing David Obua is confident of obtaining a UK work permit to finalise his move to Tynecastle, although he may have to rely on an appeal to do so.

Hearts expect the Home Office to reject their initial application for Obua's permit on the grounds that his country, Uganda, are outwith FIFA's top-70 ranked nations. Campbell Ogilvie, the club's managing director, is currently preparing the necessary paperwork for submission.

Government regulations state that footballers from outwith the European Union must have played 75 per cent of their country's competitive internationals during the two years preceding their application for a UK work permit. Additionally, that country must be within FIFA's top 70. Obua, with 22 Ugandan caps, satisfies the first criteria but not the second. Uganda are currently ranked 97th by FIFA, therefore an independent appeals panel is likely to be required to decide if the midfielder is a special talent who could enhance Scottish football. His case was examined recently by officials at West Ham United, where he spent a week on trial, and the English club received encouraging feedback about Obua's prospects for appealing successfully.

The former South African Player of the Year believes he has a strong case to argue. "David is confident he will get the work permit and he is looking forward to playing for Hearts," said Janos Hrutka, the player's agent.

"We have confirmation from FUFA (Federation of Ugandan Football Associations] that he has played more than the 75 per cent of matches. We know they are not in FIFA's top 70, but David is a special player.

"He is considered one of the biggest talents in Africa. West Ham checked everything about him and they received confirmation that he would be likely to get a work permit for the UK.

"Of course, nothing is certain, but Hearts would not have taken David if they did not believe he could play in Scotland."

Obua was denied an outing as a trialist last night as Hearts defeated a local select side 6-0 in the first match of their German tour. The midfielder injured a rib in training but X-rays have confirmed no serious damage.

"I'm a little sad about David," said Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts manager. "He is a very good player and was playing very good football in training. Then he had a crash one-on-one with a player and he got injured. Hopefully tomorrow he should be OK because it's not serious. I think somebody came with an elbow in his ribs, but it's not a fracture. He will be back training in two days."