City fans could get their first glimpse of new keeper Donovan Ricketts at Shrewsbury.

The Jamaican international is desperate for some action after agreeing a one-year loan deal from Village United.

But he has been left kicking his heels until a work permit is granted by the Home Office.

Ricketts was sitting it out again this afternoon for the Bolton game as he waits for the red tape to be cleared.

Boss Colin Todd said: "He has been here for two weeks and cannot wait to play a game. The work permit won't be a problem, we're just waiting now to get the clearance through. Hopefully he will be ready for Shrewsbury next week because otherwise you are looking at the start of the season and he still won't have played a match."

City have no friendly scheduled until the trip to Gay Meadow after calling off the Middlesbrough home game. If they decide to fill the gap with a private one, Ricketts would be allowed to play - he is currently barred from any game where there are admission charges.

With only a fortnight until the big kick-off at Hartlepool, Todd is anxious to see Ricketts integrated into the team as soon as possible. He is also looking to bring in an understudy keeper after releasing youngster Kieran Westwood, who had played in the opening three friendlies. A trialist was on stand-by to face Bolton.

Ricketts meets the criteria for a work permit as a first-choice selection for Jamaica. But there is no guarantee how long it will take for the application to be processed.

But City are hoping it will be a speedy job and point to a similar scenario with his Reggae Boyz team-mate Omar Daley, whose clearance to play for Preston came through in a few days.