John Gregory: Faces Balaban wait along with Villa fans (ShaunBotterill/Allsport)

Balaban, who will sign for Villa if he can agree personal terms, had been lined up to play in tomorrow's friendly clash with Racing Santander in Spain.

But those plans were dashed after the player was included in the Croatia squad for a friendly international with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin next Wednesday. That match will give Balaban, 22, the chance to come up against Steve Staunton.

Balaban could soon be playing alongside the Villa defender, who is looking to improve on a record of seven goals in seven games for the Republic.

Balaban's next outing could then be in a Villa shirt at White Hart Lane. A Villa spokesman confirmed: 'We have agreed a fee and have now got to agree terms with the player. He is in this country for discussions.'

Villa are unlikely to encounter any problems in sealing Balaban's signature, even though clubs in Spain and Italy have been monitoring the situation.

He earned his move to Zagreb after scoring 15 goals in 29 games for his hometown club Rijeka two seasons ago.

He continued that kind of form for Zagreb and was on target 14 times in 26 games last season. In the summer, he found the net for Croatia against San Marino and Latvia.

UEFA yesterday threw out an official complaint from Troyes regarding the eligibility of Nolberto Solano, leaving Newcastle free to concentrate on their InterToto Cup Final, second leg against the French club on August

21. The South American, 26, has been embroiled in controversy over reports that he is to be charged in connection with an investigation into passport irregularities.

That prompted the appeal from Troyes, which was as unexpected as it was unlikely to succeed. A UEFA spokesman said: 'The player is Peruvian-registered, he has got a license from the national association and there was never any problem.'

Newcastle, too, insist they are unworried. They recently re-registered Solano as a non-EU player.