David Obua given hope in race for Hearts' European tie

Published Date: 27 July 2011
By DARREN JOHNSTONE
Hearts midfielder David Obua was last night given hope of making tomorrow's Europa League clash with Paksi after getting his hands on a new passport.
The Ugandan is now looking to secure a visa today for the trip to Budapest before the Hungarian Embassy in London closes at midday.

As his team-mates flew out for the Europa League qualifying third round first leg, the 27-year-old, who scored in Saturday's draw at Rangers, boarded a plane to London yesterday after being told there was no more space in his passport for stamps.

Obua got in touch with Jim Jefferies on Tuesday evening to inform him of the developments but, speaking as he touched down at the airport just hours earlier, the Hearts manager was less than impressed by the administrative blunder.

Jefferies said: "The visa is all set up to go but he has to get that passport from the Ugandan Embassy. I believe his passport is full. When its full like that you're struggling to get the visa. Because of where he comes from he has to get it stamped and it's full. We've got people at the club who should be dealing with that.

"Obviously it's an administration problem but it could cause us not to have him available for the game. That would be a blow because in pre-season games and on Saturday he did well.

"Getting a flight out here from London wouldn't be a problem, there would be a scheduled flight every day."

Asked if Obua would be considered if he arrived just hours before the game, Jefferies, who is already without Andy Webster and Mehdi Taouil through injury as well as long-term absentees Kevin Kyle, Andy Driver and Calum Elliot, added: "I'd have to see about that, there's no plan to train on Thursday. David's performances in pre-season were why he got picked Saturday."

Taken from the Scotsman