Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp admits red tape will scupper his interest in Cape Town Ajax midfielder Eyong Enoh.
The 22-year-old trained with Pompey during the trip to South Africa but Redknapp says he does not fulfill the criteria to be granted a work permit.
He told the club's website: "He won't get into the country unfortunately.
"To get into England you need to have played 75% of the recent games for your country, and I'm sure he hasn't done that."