A determined Paul Blake is refusing to admit defeat in Newcastle Eagles’ ongoing battle to secure Rodney Glasgow Jr’s return to the BBL.

And although the US guard now looks unlikely to play again before 2020, club officials are working around the clock to make a meaningful breakthrough.

Glasgow Jr arrived on Tyneside in the summer aware that he could obtain a British passport given the fact that his father hails from the British Virgin Islands.

But red tape and unforeseen delays have held up a frustrating process – leading to the rapid-fire playmaker being benched for the bulk of the season.

“The process is moving forward but through no fault of either Rod or ourselves it has been delayed longer than we could have anticipated,” admitted Newcastle managing director Blake.

“We had been very optimistic that Rodney would be able to resume his Eagles career before the end of the year but it appears there are still some significant hurdles to overcome.

“It’s going to take longer than we thought but we are not giving up. We will pursue this for as long as it takes and until Rodney can suit up in a black and white vest again.

“We want him at the club and he wants to be here. That is all that matters right now.

“Rodney is interested in being at Newcastle for an extended period of time and we’re doing everything we can to make that happen.”

Glasgow Jr did take his Eagles bow in the BBL Cup earlier this year after club officials temporarily re-registered the American as a pure import.

But Mike Morsell’s return from injury meant his team-mate’s status changed again with Newcastle settling on Morsell, Rahmon Fletcher and the now departed John Mitchell as their three non-EU picks.

The arrival of CJ Gettys – as Mitchell’s replacement – confirmed the Eagles were still fully focused on registering Glasgow Jr as a ‘British’ player.

But until his passport is rubber-stamped and his updated registration confirmed, there is no place on Ian MacLeod’s roster for the popular star.

“Rodney is fully aware of the situation and knows he has our full support,” added Blake. “It’s been a difficult period for everyone but the commitment is clear on both sides.”

It is understood Glasgow Jr has been issued with a British Virgin Islands’ passport. The next step is to secure UK citizenship and an application has been lodged with the Home Office.

Meanwhile, MacLeod has been using a free week to ensure his available players are fully prepared for Friday’s visit of Manchester Giants.

And the mood within the Newcastle camp is buoyant on the back of a big away win at bogey side Plymouth Raiders.

Bringing Glasgow Jr back into the fold will provide an added boost and Blake added: “We are keeping everything crossed that things happen sooner, rather than later.”