HULL City's record signing Abel Hernandez will get the chance to make his Premier League debut tonight after training with his new team-mates for the first time over the weekend.
Hernandez had been left frustrated by red tape when returning from international duty with Uruguay last week, with Hull City manager Steve Bruce initially suggesting it would be "highly unlikely" the £10m striker would be eligible to face West Ham United.
However, after receiving his visa from the British Embassy in Rome late on Friday, Hernandez is now dramatically back in the reckoning for a debut this evening.
The 24-year-old trained fully in Cottingham yesterday morning and Bruce must decide whether to hand his new goalscoring hope a start or a place amongst the substitutes for the televised clash.
Unlike fellow new arrivals Hatem Ben Arfa and Gaston Ramirez, whose lack of match fitness counts against their inclusion, Hernandez has been in action in the past 10 days.
As well as a goalscoring cameo in Uruguay's 2-0 win over Japan on September 5, he started the 1-0 win over South Korea seven days ago, playing 77 minutes.
Hernandez then had to kick his heels in Italy before receiving the last of his paperwork, but a full pre-season with Palermo ensures he does not begin his English career cold.
Bruce was not expected to make a decision over Hernandez's involvement until this morning. There is a chance the Uruguayan could partner Nikica Jelavic ahead of Tom Ince in a £17m strike force, but a place on the bench looks more likely.
What is certain is Bruce's admiration in a forward that pricked his attention during an impressive season with Palermo. After scoring 14 goals in 28 games as the Italian side claimed the Serie B title, Bruce believes the lively youngster will be a hit in England.
"He wants to go behind, he's a wonderful finisher, he's quick, he's got a bit of flair, he's just an all-round good player," said Bruce.
"You hope like all of them when you sign someone from abroad that they can come and play here.
"He is a fantastic footballer with really good ability. Uruguay are ranked sixth in the world and he's behind (Edison) Cavani and (Luis) Suarez, which is quite remarkable."
Hernandez was part of the Uruguay squad that knocked England out of this summer's World Cup in Brazil and now has his heart set on becoming a regular alongside Barcelona's Luis Suarez, big shoes for a compatriot to follow in the Premier League.
Before heading to the Nou Camp in a £75m deal this summer following the latest biting scandal, Suarez scored 69 goals in 110 league games for Liverpool.
Bruce is loath to put Hernandez in the same bracket but added: "He's got all the tools. But as with everybody you buy from abroad it takes them time.
"I hope he hits the ground running quick because we need that. You don't play for Uruguay, who are sixth in the world, if you haven't got terrific ability.
"But the question is can you adapt to the pace of it? We have seen really great players from abroad struggle."
