BLACKBURN Rovers remain locked in talks with Sporting Lisbon as they look to capture the signature of in-demand Adrien Silva.

Rovers have been leading the chase for the 23-year-old for the past fortnight but, as of last night, had yet to reach agreement with his Portuguese employers.

The former Portugal under 21 skipper is believed to be keen on a switch to Ewood Park, following his compatriots Nuno Gomes and Fabio Nunes, but has yet to be granted permission to conclude any deal.

It is understood personal terms are unlikely to prove an issue once, and if, Sporting Lisbon have accepted Rovers bid.

Boss Steve Kean was initially hopeful he would have Silva on board before the club left for their training camp in Austria last night.

The club remain confident they can make Silva their fifth signing of the summer and would plan to fly him out to join with the rest of the squad later this week.

Sporting Lisbon are happy for Silva to leave this summer but only for the right price, with Marseille and Porto also interested in him.

Silva did return to pre-season training at Lisbon at the end of last week and is expected to continue this week – unless Rovers and Sporting can agree on their valuations.

Rovers see adding another central midfielder to the squad as a priority, to play alongside Danny Murphy, and have already bee forced to play a waiting game in their pursuit of Newcastle midfielder Dan Gosling.

Gosling is determined to give himself a last chance to succeed with the Magpies, but Rovers would be prepared to go back in for him loan if he changes his mind.

Meanwhile, Junior Hoilett is expected to decide on his future this week as a number of clubs continue to chase his signature.

As revealed in the Lancashire Telegraph on Saturday, Premier League QPR have joined the chase, along with the likes of Newcastle United and Sunderland.

Hoilett also has suitors from abroad, including Germany's Borussia Mönchengladbach, leaving him with a decision to make on where he wants to resume his career.

Rovers insist a new offer remains on the table for the Canadian starlet, after his contract expired at the end of last month, but Hoilett is still expected to start next season elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Rovers assistant chief scout Kevin Cruickshank is leaving Ewood Park for QPR.