PLYMOUTH Albion are keeping their fingers crossed that Alex Davies' international clearance comes though today.

Fly-half Davies was unable to play against Bedford last weekend as Albion had been unable to register him.

The problem arose as Albion allowed Davies, who is now in his third season at Brickfields, to spend the summer playing for New Zealand side Green Island in Otago.

It meant Green Island took over his registration from Albion.

For Plymouth to re-register him for the Championship, they need clearance from the New Zealand Rugby Union.

International clearance is needed to prevent players suspended in one country simply moving to another.

Davies, however, did not pick up a suspension in New Zealand and so there should not be a problem.

But Albion are still having difficulty getting his clearance through.

The club have until 3pm today to register him in time to play against Worcester Warriors at Brickfields this Saturday.

"The New Zealand Rugby Union have to rubber stamp that he is cleared to change unions," said Albion's chairman of rugby Graham Dawe.

"These procedures are in place to prevent people moving continents when suspended.

"But we did not expect any problems with Alex."

Dawe, though, said the club had no regrets about allowing Davies to gain valuable experience during the summer.

If Davies' clearance does not come through by today then Albion will once again be left with a fly-half problem as fellow number 10 Kieran Hallett is out after having on operation on his foot after picking up an infection.

Last weekend, Albion threw 20-year-old full-back Mark Lee in at number 10.

Dawe insists he would have every confidence in Lee if he was called upon to play 10 again this weekend.