The Merseysiders agreed an £11.25million fee with Middlesbrough for the Nigerian striker earlier this week, but the move was delayed when he was refused a permit.

Yakubu opted out of playing for Nigeria during the 2006 African Cup of Nations and as a result failed to meet the Home Office's benchmark of having played in 75% of his country's games over the last two years.

But club officials will travel to the hearing confident that their appeal will prove successful, given that only former Arsenal frontman Thierry Henry has scored more Premier League goals over the last four years.