BLACKBURN Rovers will today discover whether they will be able to sign Kim Bo-Kyung.

But there is a real fear that toughened-up work permit rules will scupper the club’s efforts to make the South Korea star their third summer capture.

Kim does not comply with the new rules that were introduced by the Football Association in May in order to attempt to reduce the number of non-EU players in the English game.

But such is Rovers’ determination to complete a deal for the 25-year-old they have put together a detailed case which will be considered by the FA today.

The Ewood Park outfit hope that their case will convince the governing body to grant Kim, a 32-capped international who featured at the 2010 and 2014 World Cup finals, a work permit.

If it does then the attacking midfielder will complete the formalities of his free transfer.

But there is a strong possibility the FA will refuse Kim a work permit.

It was revealed yesterday that the association has not handed former Rovers target Rudy Austin a work permit.

Austin, 30, was on the verge of signing for Sheffield Wednesday after three years as a regular at Leeds United.

But the Jamaica captain, whose wage demands were out of Rovers’ reach, has been told he is no longer eligible to play in England.

“For Rudy this is very traumatic,” said Austin’s agent Darryl Powell.

“We had agreed a deal in principle with Sheffield Wednesday, who were going to make him one of their best paid players, if not the best and that was going to be on a three-year contract.

“Unfortunately the appeal process does not really work anymore. If you spend in excess of £10m on fees and salary you can bypass it.

“But other than that there’s not much chance, even though he’s right at the top end of the pay scale and would make such a good contribution to life in the UK.”

Kim, who has spent the last three seasons playing in the Championship and Premier League for Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic, has agreed terms with Rovers and has been training with Gary Bowyer’s squad at Brockhall.

Missing out on Kim would be a blow to Bowyer.

The Rovers boss has so far made two additions to his small squad, in the shape of French duo Fode Koita and Sacha Petshi, and after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Bury he again stressed the need for more.

“We’re working incredibly hard,” said Bowyer, who is not thought to be interested in young Aston Villa forward Callum Robinson, despite links to the contrary.

“The amount of players we’ve looked at and gone through is staggering.

“The amount of phone calls and work’s that’s gone in – fair play to everybody who is having a go for us.

“Obviously we’ve still got to try and get one or two over the line.

“I’d like some pace out wide, there’s no secret of that, but we’ll keep going.”

One player who Bowyer will not be signing is Liam Nolan.

The 20-year-old midfielder featured for Rovers in their friendlies against Accrington Stanley and Tranmere Rovers.

But Nolan, who is free agent after his release from Crewe Alexandra, was told by Bowyer after the 2-0 win over Tranmere that he would not be handed a permanent deal.

Midfielder Danny Guthrie and striker Nathan Delfouneso remain on trial at Rovers.

Nicky Maynard, meanwhile, will not be signing a contract at Nottingham Forest.

The striker, who was on trial at Forest after his release by Cardiff, is admired by Rovers.