According to The Bolton News, Mark Milligan is unlikely to be handed a work permit and will therefore not be able to move to England.

Mark Milligan is a target for Bolton Wanderers, Birmingham City and Burton Albion this summer but his hopes of playing Championship football have been dented by work permit issues.

In order to meet the criteria to obtain a work permit, Mark Milligan would need Australia to be named in the top ten countries when FIFA release their next world rankings.

With the Socceroos currently sat in 48th place, this is looking highly unlikely.

Mark Milligan might therefore have to move elsewhere to play his football after leaving Middle East side Baniyas.

The versatile 31-year-old was being lined up as a replacement for Jay Spearing, who looks likely to leave the club on a free transfer this summer.

The 59-cap Australian international is currently the captain for his country but his chances of securing a work permit have been hit by Australia's average ranking over the past two years.

Milligan is capable of playing as a right-back, centre-back or as a defensive midfielder so his versatility would have been useful for Phil Parkinson at Bolton Wanderers.

The free-agent now awaits the latest FIFA rankings but will probably have to look elsewhere for his next club.

Meanwhile, Bolton will need to weigh up other targets for that position.

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