Dundee United have appealed to FIFA for permission to sign Cardiff goalkeeper David Forde after the SFA blocked his transfer on deadline day.Craig Levein had agreed a loan with the Bluebirds for 28-year-old Forde.

It would have allowed him to send Scotland Under-21 goalkeeper Euan McLean out on loan before a decision is made on his long-term future.

However Forde fell foul of the ruling which prevents a player turning out for three clubs within the same season when it emerged he had played for Cardiff in a Welsh Cup tie against tiny Welshpool Town last month, in front of just 700 fans.

Forde had previously played six games for Luton, who he joined on an emergency loan in August.

United's attempt to push through the move was blocked by the administrators at Hampden.

But Levein believes an agreement between English Football League clubs, who do not recognise short-term loans between their members as a transfer, means Forde should be free to sign.

Therefore, the Tangerines have asked the game's governing body to adjudicate and, as the paperwork was put in place before the midnight deadline, they remain hopeful of getting the player on board next week.

Levein said: "I'm really annoyed about this.

"I tried to sign David on Thursday night but it was blocked because of this rule about playing for three teams in a season.

"He went on an emergency loan from Cardiff to Luton but because they are in the same league structure English clubs have an agreement that it doesn't count as a transfer.

"Because he had already played for Cardiff in a Welsh Cup tie it has been blocked and our friends at the SFA have refused to recognise the English agreement.

"I've taken it to FIFA to give an answer on it.

"The paperwork has been done before the window closed so if we get the go-ahead it can still go through."

Levein is no fan of the transfer window nor the 'three-club' rule, which has also cast doubt on Rangers' Daniel Cousin's move to Fulham.

He even suggested its legality may be dubious under European employment laws.

Levein added: "It's a crazy rule and I don't for the life of me understand it.

"It's a restriction of trade because it is stopping the player going about his work and getting first-team games.

"I tried to get Roy O'Donavan from Sunderland in the last window and the same thing happened because he had played for Cork in the summer.

"It's ridiculous.

"Lukasz (Zaluska) is the number one here but I want to keep the pressure on him.

"Also, Euan McLean is out of contract and we want to put him out to get games. If he is sitting on the bench I can't make a decision on him so it's harming his development too."

Levein has named defender Lee Wilkie as his new captain following Barry Robson's transfer to Celtic and is sure he has picked the ideal candidate for the job.

Wilkie, who has battled back from three serious knee injuries, has blossomed again over the past 12 months and his manager feels the captain's armband is just reward for the lifelong United supporter.

He said: "Lee has shown amazing grit and determination to get back from his horrendous injuries and those are characteristics I like and what makes him ideal for the job.

"I've got a lot of time for Lee, he plays the game with a fervour that makes you think he's 18 or 19 years old.

"Some people thrive on it and some feel the pressure, but Lee won't be weighed down by taking the captaincy.

"He's a big character and he deserves it."

Levein has no fresh injury worries for the Scottish Cup trip to St Mirren, although new signing Jim O'Brien is cup-tied.

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