WORLD Cup star Eddie Lewis has been granted a work permit to play at North End.

After having one appplication turned down, North End were forced to appeal to make sure their new winger could figure at Deepdale.

That appeal was upheld late on Wednesday (September 4) afternoon and now the player is all set to figure in the next match, the Worthington Cup tie against Scunthorpe.

The former Fulham player signed a week ago for an undisclosed fee.

Craig Brown said: "We attended the appeal in Sheffield. The panel commented favourably on the quality and presentation of the written submission produced by Eddie and Janet Parr which, in itself, almost obviated the need for a panel discussion.

"The panel, which comprised of two members of the Department for Education and Employment, representatives of the PFA, the FA, the Football League and two independent advisers from within football - Chris Waddle and David Fairclough - were impressed with the work done by Eddie and Janet and now we can look forward to introducing Eddie into our already talented group of players."

Lewis, who turned 28 during the World Cup, along with former North End loan star Brian McBride, was one of the American heroes as they got to the quarter-finals of the competition in Japan and Korea.

He has agreed a three-year deal with North End and moves from Loftus Road for an undisclosed fee.

North End chief executive Tony Scholes said of the deal: "Our interest in Eddie has been well publicised.

"And he is someone we have been keeping an eye on throughout the summer and are delighted to wrap up the deal."

North End's match against Wolves on Saturday has been postponed due to international commitments.