Sickener

The former Macedonian captain, released by West Bromwich Albion this summer, was ready to sign a one-year deal with the Clarets if club chiefs could overturn an earlier refusal to grant the midfielder a permit.

However, at the hearing in Sheffield the second attempt was thrown out, leaving manager Steve Cotterill back at square one in the bid to add to his squad before tomorrow's Championship clash with Coventry City at Turf Moor.

"I don't know what else we could have done. We just need a bit of luck at the moment," said a bitterly disappointed Cotterill, who had set his sights on landing Sakiri after placing him at the top of the list of free transfer players still available.

"I am told we put a good case forward but obviously not good enough and when you put a lot of time and effort into something that doesn't come to fruition it doesn't leave you with a good taste.

"Artim is probably more disappointed than anyone. He phoned me last night and I was pretty sick for him. You have to feel for the lad and the blessing is that we didn't take him to Austria and maybe get to know him a little better.

"I don't know the politics and the criteria the appeal panel take into consideration. There were three ex-players on the panel - Phil Neal, David Fairclough and Richard Jobson - and it would have been interesting to see how they voted along with the rest of the panel, but it's a secret ballot."

The much maligned transfer window slams shut on all Football League clubs for the first time at the end of this month. And although discussions with FIFA are still being held to try to allow loan signings to take place throughout the season, the August 31 deadline for permanent deals leaves the Clarets chief just 19 more days to find reinforcements.

Burnley will now turn their attentions to getting their season up and running with tomorrow's visit of the Sky Blues, who have been forced to play their first three league games away from home due to the late completion of the space-age Ricoh Arena.