Chelsea are facing a race against time in their attempt to register stg£15.8million striker Adrian Mutu in time or Sunday's Barclaycard Premiership game at Liverpool.
The Blues have obtained a work permit for the Romanian international, who took part in training with them for the first time last night after his move from Parma.
However, partly due to the start of an Italian bank holiday weekend, they were unable to rush through the paperwork concerning his international clearance today.
Initial reports indicated they had therefore missed a 5pm deadline, but the Football Association have confirmed that Chelsea have until kick-off on Sunday to register Mutu.
The problem for them now will nevertheless be in ensuring that the Italian federation can process the application in time.
Claudio Ranieri must therefore wait to find out if he can throw the Romanian in at the deep end, having been impressed with his fitness following intensive pre-season training with Parma.
Ranieri said: "Mutu is a very good second striker. He can play in every position, is quick and strong, and anyone who scores 18 goals in one season in Serie A is very dangerous."