VENKY’S’ top Brazilian source will arrive at Ewood Park today in an attempt to help Blackburn Rovers land their January transfer targets.

Joao Souza will be working at the club for the next fortnight until the closure of the window, closely alongside sporting director Simon Hunt and director Vineeth Rao, as Rovers step up their attempts to add faces to bolster their Premier League survival hopes.

Souza, manager of Venky’s do Brasil Ltda, is understood to have arrived with a number of potential targets already in mind having played a key role in the club’s transfer activity under Rovers’ Indian owners.

He played a big role in Rovers’ shock bid to land Ronaldinho last year and is also understood to have been involved in the signing of Brazilian full back Bruno Ribeiro in the summer.

Souza has been involved in Rovers’ continuing attempts to sign Bordeaux striker Anthony Modeste and the club has also shown an initial interest in Paraguayan international midfielder Victor Caceres, although no official bid has yet been launched for the latter.

Modeste, 23, is expected to become the club’s first January signing, with Bordeaux ready to loan him to Ewood until the end of the season.

Fulham striker Andy Johnson also remains a target for boss Steve Kean, having had a bid rejected by the Cottagers last week, although Rovers are unlikely to match the £3million wanted by the Londoners.

While Rovers are desperate to increase their squad options for the rest of the season, they continue to face a fight to hang on to their prized asset Chris Samba.

The club released an official statement yesterday reiterating their stance that Samba is not for sale despite the giant defender handing in a transfer request earlier this week.

Rovers’ skipper is understood to have held talks with Kean yesterday but has not changed his mind about wanting away from Ewood Park in pursuit of achieving his ambitions.

The club statement said: “Blackburn Rovers reiterate that team captain Christopher Samba is not for sale. The player signed a new contract with the club less than a year ago which runs to June 2015.”

Samba’s defensive partner Scott Dann is understood to be watching the Samba situation carefully and is believed to be ready to reconsider his Rovers future should the club change their stance and sell him.

This is not the first time Samba has stated his desire to quit Ewood Park and Rovers remain adamant the defender is not leaving East Lancashire.

Meanwhile Rovers are hopeful they will be able to appoint an assistant manager before Saturday’s Premier League trip to Everton. Former Sunderland and Wigan number two Eric Black remains favourite for the role.