Efe Ambrose blocked from making Blackburn debut against Manchester United by FA red tape

EFE AMBROSE has been blocked from making a Blackburn Rovers debut against Manchester United by the FA.

Nigerian international defender Ambrose agreed to join Rovers on loan from Celtic on deadline day but his work permit has been denied.

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The FA have more strict rules than in Scotland and Ambrose has not played enough internationals in the last two seasons to meet their tougher criteria.

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Now Blackburn will have an appeal heard next week but it will be too late for him to face United in the FA Cup on Sunday.

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Ambrose was set for a debut in Owen Coyle's side as they have been hit by injuries and bans following their defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

Having dropped out of the Premier League in 2012, Rovers are second bottom in the Championship and facing the prospect of dropping into the third tier, having won just seven out 31 league games this season.

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But the FA Cup provides some respite. They beat Queens Park Rangers in the third round before ousting Blackpool and welcome United to Ewood Park for the first time since 2012.