Livingston boss admits 'frustration' over failed work permit for South African signing

Livingston boss David Martindale says he's hopeful new signing Aphelele Teto will be able to play for the club in January but confessed it's 'frustrating' they saw the South African's bid for a work permit turned down.

The Lions announced the signing on Tuesday, but that the 20-year-old's Governing Body Endorsement - which then paves the way for a work permit to be granted - was rejected.

Teto penned a four-year deal from TS Galaxy in his homeland but is now set for a return to Africa on loan while the Lions review the situation and re-apply in the winter transfer window.

Martindale said: "I’ve got to trust the process and go with the decision of the people on the panel. It’s frustrating from my point of view because I’m the manager recruiting the player and I think he can come in and do a job for Livingston . I wouldn’t be spending money on a player I think’s not going to play for me.

“It was disappointing we didn’t get the permit but I’ve got to trust how we do things in Scotland and take it on the chin. From our point of view, as a club, I think we’re the best people to decide if a player is going to play for us but I do understand there’s a process and a panel.”

Teto has been training with the club this summer ahead of his move but now faces the prospect of being loaned back to his homeland until he has enough points to re-apply.

“We’re looking at different ways to try and get his GBE in January,” said Martindale. “He’s not going to automatically qualify but his points tally needs to change and there’s various ways for that to happen.

“We’ll need to look at loaning him back to South Africa or somewhere else in Africa because he needs to be playing top-flight football in Africa. There’s a high probability he will