RED tape is threatening to scupper Sam Allardyce's attempt to sign Macedonian international Artim Sakiri.

The Home Office have rejected the 28-year-old midfield player's application for a work permit because his country is too low in the international rankings.

Wanderers now have to decide whether to appeal the decision or drop their interest in a player they could buy for just £250,000.

"He easily meets the criteria of having played in 75 per cent of the recent internationals," Wanderers secretary Simon Marland explained, "but Macedonia are out of the top 70 in the world rankings.

"At the moment we are considering an appeal."

Sakiri is now back with his club, NK Gorica in Slovenia, after impressing in trials at the Reebok.