Blues pair go on loan as Tskitishvili work permit rejected

Feb 1 2008 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

BLUES received another transfer window blow when a work permit for Levan Tskitishvili was rejected.

The Border and Immigration service heard Blues' arguments, led by manager Alex McLeish, but a three-man panel turned the application down.

Midfielder Tskitishvili has 53 caps for Georgia and McLeish felt his experience and good use of the ball would help Blues during the remainder of the season.

He described the ruling as a 'poor decision' and had to draw a line under his interest.

Meanwhile, Blues' reserve goalkeeper Artur Krysiak has joined SPL bottom club Gretna on loan for the remainder of the season.

Gretna's first choice, Tony Caig, has departed to Houston Dynamo in the MLS so back-up was required to Greg Fleming, who has now assumed that mantle.

Krystian Pearce has also signed for Port Vale on a month's loan. The England under-19 defender recently returned from a spell at Notts County.