BLACKBURN Rovers are on the verge of signing former Celtic starlet Tony Watt from Championship rivals Charlton Athletic.

The 22-year-old striker will join the Ewood Park outfit on loan until the end of the season with a view to making a permanent move in the summer.

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And if all the paperwork goes through in time he will go straight into Rovers boss Paul Lambert’s squad for tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Oxford United.

Watt scored eight goals in 34 appearances for Celtic including the winner, when he was 18, in their famous 2-1 home victory over reigning European champions Barcelona in November 2012.

And the Scotland Under-21 international delivered a reminder of the precocious talent he possesses in two recent matches against Rovers.

He joined Cardiff City on loan before Christmas and starred in their 1-0 home win over Lambert’s side on January 2.

And after returning to his parent club Charlton he produced another eye-catching performance in their 1-1 home draw with Rovers last Saturday.

Lambert confirmed yesterday that he was looking to add at least two new players to his squad before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Watt is one and the other is understood to be the ‘number 10’ he has chased all month.

“We’re trying at the minute to get somebody in,” said former Celtic midfielder Lambert who, after the sales of Markus Olsson and Fode Koita, has been given the go-ahead to bolster his ranks by Rovers owners Venky’s.

“I’ve always thought we need that player to make things happen and hopefully we’ll get a bit of luck and something will happen.

“Ideally I’d like to get two in for Saturday’s game. We’re trying ever so hard to see if we can do those.

“If it’s Monday, it’s Monday, but we need to try to get a couple in.”

Fifa transfer regulations state a player cannot play for more than two clubs in the same season.

But, because Watt went on an emergency loan to Cardiff, he will be able to sign for Rovers.

Watt will join Jordan Rhodes, Danny Graham, Chris Brown, Simeon Jackson and Tom Lawrence in vying for a place up front.

But tomorrow’s fourth-round tie could prove to be Lawrence’s last appearance for Rovers as his loan from Leicester City, which was extended by a further four weeks at the start of the month, runs out on Sunday.

Asked what will happen next with the Wales international, Lambert, whose need for a left-back to cover for Tommy Spurr is lower down his priority list, said: “I don’t know.

“Leicester and ourselves were really happy for him to stay for the rest of the season but his agent wanted the clause that he stayed for another month and then reviewed it.

“It’s something I’ve got to discuss with Tom and see what his thoughts are.”

Top-scorer Rhodes has been the subject of speculation throughout the transfer window with long-term admirers Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Swansea City and Newcastle United all being credited with an interest.

But Rovers have not received any bids for the 11-goal forward so far this month.

And Lambert said yesterday it would not be until one is made that he would have to discuss it with Venky’s who have previously turned down £10m-plus offers for Rhodes from Middlesbrough and Hull City.

Midfielder John O’Sullivan, meanwhile, is set to extend his loan at League One Bury until the end of the season.