MICHAEL Appleton is planning a swift move into the transfer market after admitting his Blackburn Rovers side needs some “freshening up”.

The Rovers boss will be working hard attempting to bring fresh faces into Ewood, with a couple of departures also on the cards.

Appleton is also hopeful of adding to his staff behind the scenes, with fitness coach Chris Neville expected to arrive from Portsmouth, together with the likely appointment of former Pompey head of recruitment Luke Dowling.

Appleton will be hoping to add before tomorrow’s visit of Brighton but that is likely to depend on the success of freeing up the wage bill with Gael Givet’s move away finally happening.

Appleton said: “I would like to think we can move quickly in the transfer market. I think it will give everyone a lift,players, staff and supporters if there are two or three new faces in there.

“Luke is a scout and is someone I rate very, very highly. There are a couple of different avenues we will be looking to improve and we will keep you informed if anything changes.”

Rovers entertain Brighton in the Championship tomorrow night, looking to respond to Saturday’s dismal 2-1 defeat to Charlton.

“As a group of people we have to collectively pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and look forward to the challenge ahead, because it is certainly a big one,” said Appleton.

“They don’t get any tougher than Brighton because of the way we play. They are a very, very good footballing side, they probably pass the ball more than any other team in the division.

“They are difficult to play against but it is an opportunity. It is an opportunity for the players to make sure they respond in a positive manner and hopefully they will do.

“There is no time to shirk your responsibility, you are professional and you have to take the responsibility that comes with it.

“We have some good games coming up, a really really tough game against one of the best sides in the division in Brighton. So it is one the players have to take on board and look forward to.”

Appleton quit Blackpool after just two months in charge to become Rovers boss less than a fortnight ago.

And he admits the pressures are different at Ewood Park but believes the challenge has to be relished.

He said: “There is a difference in terms of the size of the clubs and the pressures that goes with it and the demands of the supporters, but surely that is a good thing?

“As a footballer, you don’t want to be known as mediocre, you don’t want to be involved in something that is average, you want to strive to better yourself all the time and you want to strive to be competitive.

“I am sure there are going to be times over the coming weeks and months where we really enjoy what we are seeing and doing.

“It is going to take a lot of turning around, you can see that, but I think there are enough players in the dressing room who have what we need and, with new fresh faces, change of personnel in certain areas of the pitch.”