Blackburn Rovers will complete their final preparations for the new season with a prestigious home friendly against Chievo.

As I understand it, Rovers have now struck a deal to bring the new sensations of Italian football to Ewood for a mouthwatering pre-season curtain raiser, subject to contracts being exchanged between the two clubs in the next couple of days.

The game will take place on Sunday August 10, just a week before the start of the new Premiership campaign. Rovers have a tradition of arranging high-profile games against foreign opposition following recent friendlies with Lazio, Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven.

And the arrival of the Serie A side is sure to apture the imagination of the public once again, as well as providing Graeme Souness's team with the kind of stern test they need in the build-up to the big kick-off.

Meanwhile, Rovers' forthcoming trip to America continues to generate huge interest across the Atlantic.

Officials of Washington-based outfit, DC United, are expecting a big crowd for their friendly fixture against Rovers on July 23.

Normally, United tend to attract crowds of around 16,000 for league fixtures and the impending visit of Rovers has created great excitement, not least because of the Brad Friedel factor.

United have never lost a game to English opposition and recently beat a full-strength Tottenham side in a special challenge match at the RFK Stadium last month.

DC Vice President and General Manager Stephen Zack says: "DC United continues to bring quality international opponents to RFK Stadium.

"The Tottenham match in May was a tremendous success and I expect the exhibition match with Blackburn Rovers to be equally as competitive and entertaining."

Rovers have also lined up two domestic friendlies for when they return from the States. They visit Blackpool on Wednesday July 30 (7.30 pm), then trvael to newly-promoted Wigan Athletic on Saturday August 2 (3 pm).

In the meantime, Lorenzo Amoruso's move to Ewood has moved a step closer following Rangers' imminent capture of Zura Khizanishvili.

The former Dundee defender has passed a medical and is set to complete his move to the Ibrox club next week, with fans' favourite Amoruso likely to seal his switch to Ewood at the same time.

But the Georgian international has called on Gers fans not to look on him as a direct replacement for the big Italian.

"I am not the new Amoruso and I hope people don't expect me to be him," he said.

"I am Zura and I don't mind if I play in central defence or in midfield -- I will play where I am told and I don't know yet for sure what the manager is planning.

"I had some chances to move to the Premiership but I wanted to come to Rangers.

"There was interest from Everton and a couple more English clubs. Sporting Lisbon made me an offer as well but I still felt coming to Ibrox was the best option."