BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes is considering taking a punt on Cypriot striker Yiannakis Okkas during the January transfer window.

Hughes has sent his scouts to watch the Olympiakos hit-man on a number of occasions this season, and he's now offered the 29-year-old a five-day trial at Brockhall next month, with a view to taking a closer look at him.

The player's agent, Costas Botos, confirmed: "Yiannakis is very, very happy. He is delighted with this invitation, he likes the club and he would love to play in the Premier League, which is - in his opinion - the biggest championship in the world ahead of Spain's Primera Liga.

"On Tuesday Blackburn sent a fax to Olympiakos with the proposal.

"The manager Mark Hughes has seen Yiannakis play three or four times for the national team and he is invited for a five day trial and medical between 18th and 22nd December.

"Olympiakos received the proposal and if everything's okay, the transfer will be completed in January."

Hughes first became aware of Okkas when he helped destroy Rovers in a pre-season friendly in the summer, the striker scoring Olympiakos' third in a 5-0 victory.

Since then, Rovers' scouts have kept tabs on the former PAOK Salonika and AEK Athens star, and they watched him score for Cyprus when they drew 1-1 with Germany in a recent Euro 2008 qualifier.

A free agent at the end of this season, Okkas would also be available for a cut-price fee should Hughes decide to pursue his interest.

Botos added: "In July, he would be available on a free transfer so, in my opinion, his value is very low now.

"I must reiterate that right now we are just at the start of something; nothing has been finalised yet."

Meanwhile, Rovers winger Keith Treacy has joined Stockport County on a one month loan and Andy Taylor has had his loan spell at Crewe extended by a further month.