BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes was today poised to make his second signing in the January transfer window.

Just days after adding South African captain Aaron Mokoena to his squad, Hughes is now set to complete a free transfer swoop for New Zealand international skipper Ryan Nelsen.

It was initially feared Hughes might have to shelve his interest in the DC United defender due to work permit problems.

As New Zealand don't figure in the top 75 FIFA-ranked football nations in the world, Nelsen doesn't qualify for a work permit automatically, even though he's been a regular at international level for some years.

However, Rovers are now set to negotiate that particular obstacle for the time being at least by going down the visa route instead.

Nelsen currently has a Commonwealth visitors' visa which would allow him to work in England for anything up to two years.

That means Rovers can sign him up now but they will have to apply for a work permit at some point in the future - probably in the summer once Nelsen has proved he can cut it in the Premiership.

That way, Hughes would then be able to argue the 27-year-old is good enough to play in the Premiership, despite New Zealand's standing in world football.

Rovers will offer Nelsen an initial 18 month deal today with a view to extending it in the future if they can obtain a work permit.

His addition to the squad will further bolster Hughes' defensive resources just days after Mokoena's arrival from Belgian side Racing Club Genk.

The Rovers boss is still hot on the trail of Birmingham's Robbie Savage, too.

Hughes had a second improved bid of £2.5 million turned down for the Welsh international earlier this week and he's now considering whether to up that or sweat it out.

In the meantime, Rovers have dismissed fresh reports suggesting Barry Ferguson is on the brink of a return to Glasgow Rangers.

A story in the Scottish Press yesterday claimed that Ferguson is poised to return to Ibrox, possibly in time to face Celtic on Sunday!

But Rovers' chief executive John Williams today insisted that's news to him.

"We've had no contact with Glasgow Rangers whatsoever. This has come totally out of the blue."

It's not the first time Ferguson has been linked with a return to Scotland and Rangers manager Alex McLeish recently admitted he would be interested in re-signing the player.

Last night's reserve game between Rovers and Liverpool at Wrexham was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.