The Premier League side agreed a deal, earlier this month, with MLS outfit Chivas for the 23-year-old who was originally denied a work permit in January.

"We're hoping that having come so close in January we can get the work permit this time around," O'Neill said in the Birmingham Mail.

"I think his situation has improved, certainly on the international scene. He's been playing a lot of games for America now, important matches.

"He's played World Cup qualifying games and he played the second-half against England at Wembley."