Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes has abandoned his plan to sign Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario.

The former San Jose Earthquakes striker spent several days on trial with Rovers last week in the hope of securing a free transfer move to the Premiership.

However, Hughes has decided not to pursue his interest in De Rosario and will now look elsewhere in a bid to beef up his striking options over the remainder of the season.

De Rosario would have been free to join Rovers outside the transfer window because he's currently a free agent and not attached to any club.

But even though Rovers have failed to score in four of their last six matches, Hughes feels the 26-year-old is no better than any of the strikers he already has on his books.

The Rovers boss will continue to scour the globe betweennow and the end of the season in the hope of unearthing another free agent who might be able to improve his options

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Although Rovers have opened up a sizeable gap on the bottom three in the Premiership, the recent lack of goals remains a major concern for Hughes, particularly as Paul Dickov is struggling with a niggling groin problem.

Meanwhile, Blackburn have admitted a charge of failing to control their players following a mass confrontation during their clash against Chelsea at Ewood on February 2.

Chelsea have denied the same charge and both clubs have requested personal hearings to argue their cases.

The Football Association charges ensued after the bad-tempered match, which Chelsea won 1-0, was marred by four separate fracas.

These started with the melee which followed Paul Dickov's late challenge on Petr Cech as he tried to reach the rebound from a penalty saved by the Chelsea goalkeeper.

The FA's website www.thefa.com reported: "Blackburn Rovers have admitted a breach of FA rule E22a for failing to ensure that their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion. Chelsea have denied the same charge.

"The charges related to a mass confrontation during the Premier League match at Ewood Park on February 2. Both clubs have requested personal hearings which will be scheduled in due course."

Rovers are likely to receive a fine but they will present a strong case in mitigation at the hearing.