BULGARIAN international Ivelin Popov has started a trial at Blackburn Rovers as the Ewood Park outfit refuse to let their summer striker search be overshadowed by takeover talk.

The 22-year-old, who plays for Litex Lovech, can play as a support striker or a right winger, and Rovers will run the rule over him over the next few days as they continue their hunt for more firepower options.

Indian tycoon Ahsan Ali Syed told the Lancashire Telegraph yesterday he was keen to buy the club before the close of the August transfer window to provide boss Sam Allardyce with a bumper transfer kitty.

Rovers though don’t expect any additional investment to be received this month and Allardyce is continuing his efforts in the transfer market on the limited budget available.

Popov could be joined by Colombian striker Edixon Perea at Brockhall in the next few days, while Allardyce is known to have several other irons in the fire as he looks for the ‘missing piece in the jigsaw’.

Former Manchester City striker Benjani is also still training with Rovers as he looks to earn a contract at Ewood, although the potential addition of the free agent would not deter Allardyce’s efforts elsewhere.

Interest is believed to be growing in wantaway Rovers striker Jason Roberts, although no official bids have yet been made, and his departure would leave the club with just two senior strikers, Nikola Kalinic and loanee Mame Biram Diouf.

Allardyce revealed his interest in SK Brann’s Norwegian striker Erik Huseklepp last week but the Lancashire Telegraph understand they are unlikely to pursue his potential signing.

Bulgarian starlet Popov is reported to have already attracted the interest of Rovers in the past with former boss Mark Hughes understood to have been interested in him back in 2008.

He scored eight goals in 19 appearances for Litex Lovech last season and has made 15 international appearances, scoring three goals.

In September 2008 Popov scored in the UEFA Cup against Aston Villa and has been tracked in the past by Manchester City, Sunderland, PSV Eindhoven and Red Star Belgrade.

He made his Bulgarian senior debut against Wales in August 2007, recently scoring in the 2-1 defeat to Belgium in May, and should feature in England’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley in September.

In 2005 he spent four months under the stewardship of Ruud Gullit at Feyenoord before returning to first club Levski Sofia.

Compatriot Valeri Domovchiyiski had a trial at Blackburn Rovers in January 2008 before signing for Hertha Berlin, initially on loan, and then for 1.6million euros and it is understood a similar sort of deal could be struck for Popov.