Owen Coyle has revealed that Nigerian Efe Ambrose is desperate to join Blackburn Rovers but that a work permit issue has stopped him from doing so.

Ambrose has been in training with his prospective club after he agreed to join on the winter deadline day. He agreed to move on a loan deal but it still awaiting a decision on his work permit application.

The 28-year old defender wants to move away from Celtic Park but the permit is not close to arriving, according to comments from Coyle. Coyle added that when the permit goes through and he impresses at Lancashire, a permanent move in the summer is a possibility.

“The group really like him, he doesn’t hold anything back in terms of the way he trains, and he shows that he wants to be part of it. The lad is desperate to be at Blackburn Rovers and kick start his career.

“We are really awaiting the final word from the FA, ultimately it will be their decision, but hopefully we get good news,” Coyle said.

Both clubs have agreed that the Nigeria international move to Rovers but the deal was reached late on transfer deadline. He dropped out of Brendan Rodgers priority list and his contract with Celtic is set to lapse at the end of the current season.

“The English FA and SFA have, in terms of work permits, different criteria in what equates to being allowed to be given a work permit. This is a player that has played 51 times for his country and in the Champions League so he’s played a very high level.

“He’s shown his qualities as a player and we hope the FA look at that and are sympathetic to that he’s a bonafide quality player,” Coyle added.