Everton are resigned to losing Wales midfielder Mark Pembridge for their Premiership clash with Blackburn Rovers on November 17.

Under Fifa regulations players have to be released by their club four days before an international match, and Wales' Euro 2004 qualifier with Italy is on November 20.

Everton Chief Executive Michael Dunford told the club's website: "Although we are in talks with the FAW, they are perfectly within their right to call Mark Pembridge up on that day."

Birmingham City, in a similar position over Robbie Savage, have tried to get the FAW to relax their rules, but Wales manager Mark Hughes is determined to stand his ground.

Birmingham chairman David Gold accused the FAW of "intransigence" and of being "pernickity."

It is believed that Alex Ferguson will try to contact Hughes over whether Ryan Giggs will be allowed to play for Man Utd on the 17th, and there are issues around Andy Melville for Fulham and John Hartson for Celtic.

Everton boss David Moyes has sung the praises of Pembridge in recent weeks and will be loathe to lose the 31-year-old.

"I have spoken to Mark about it and he wants to play for Everton against Blackburn," said Moyes.