Portuguese teen set for Blackburn Rovers run-out (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Portuguese teen set for Blackburn Rovers run-out

10:04am Friday 20th July 2012 in Football By Andy Cryer , Blackburn Rovers reporter

BLACKBURN Rovers have handed a trial to Portuguese teenage striker Edinho Junior but are ready to call time on their frustrating bid to sign compatriot Adrien Silva.

Edinho, 18, has come through the youth ranks at Portugal first division outfit Olahense and will be given the chance to earn a move to England in Rovers’ pre-season friendly double header at Accrington tomorrow.

Rovers have already signed two Portuguese players this summer in striker Nuno Gomes and winger Fabio Nunes, while their fellow countryman Paulo Jorge is also set to be offered a contract – after arriving on trial earlier this week.

Freiburg’s Mali striker Garra Dembele will also be given a chance to impress at the Crown Ground, having started a trial with a view to a loan move yesterday, along with Malaysian defender Titus James Palani.

Rovers are hoping to conclude their summer transfer activity as quickly as possible as they look to strengthen in every position – although their chase of Silva is set to run out of steam.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands the club has given the 23-year-old midfielder until the end of the weekend to resolve his current situation with Sporting before giving up on their efforts.

Silva is currently locked in negotiations with his club over the possibility of a new deal but, did feature for them in a pre-season friendly against Charlton last night, and Rovers are ready to run out of patience.

Edinho was reportedly a £500,000 target for Celtic in February., with Rovers waiting for him to arrive in England last night.

Boss Steve Kean is still looking to strengthen in ‘all areas of the pitch’, having already signed Danny Murphy, Leon Best, Gomes and Nunes in the last two months.

Kean declined to comment on names or numbers but did reassure fans defensive reinforcements were being searched for – on top of their efforts to strengthen going forward.

Rovers supporters have been growing increasingly concerned by the lack of defenders so far signed this summer, after a horrific defensive record last time out.

Kean said: “We are working hard day in and day out to try and improve the squad, all over the pitch. We are looking at the back, in midfield and up front. All over.

“I don’t want to mention numbers but I can let you know we have not stopped from the last day of last season in trying to improve the squad.

“The signings we have made already shows our ambition to get up and we will continue to try and add in that vein. We want quality, experience and types that are going to be very good around the place.”

Rovers’ finances look set to receive a boost with reports coming out of London that Junior Hoilett has opted to sign for Premier League outfit QPR.

The out of contract winger is understood to have agreed a deal yesterday and will put pen to paper imminently. Rovers can expect to receive in the region of £4million as compensation.

Meanwhile former Rovers defender Colin Hendry will be officially unveiled as a new coach at the club today.