BLACKBURN Rovers are flying Israeli international Shimon Gershon out to join their Austrian training camp.

Gershon has been tracked by Rovers for some time and the 24-year-old was part of Hapoel's unexpected march to the last eight of the UEFA Cup which saw them put Chelsea out along the way.

Rovers boss Graeme Souness said: "He's coming to see us and to have a talk.

"It's not about a trial now. We may be able to offer him something more permanent."

His agent Pini Zahavi said: "Gershon is going to Germany to meet with Souness on Monday.

"He has not signed a new deal with his club and he would love to play in the Premiership, that is why he is meeting with Souness."

The only stumbling blocks would appear to be personal terms as Gershon is available on a free transfer.

However, Rovers are well off for central defenders, with the likes of new signing Andy Todd, Craig Short, Henning Berg, Nils-Eric Johansson and Martin Taylor already at the club.

It may be that Souness will be looking to strengthen other areas of his squad first.

Souness was today preparing his Rovers side for their first pre-season test when they on a combined part-time side "Tennegau Auswahl" at Abtenau this evening.

The opposition is made up of players from Sportingunion Abtenau, SV Golling, SV Kuchl and USK Anif.

Souness will probably give a run-out to as many players as possible on the tour.

New boys Andy Todd and Sebastien Peltzer are both expected to feature, while he could pair Andy Cole and Ciccio Grabbi up front.

The strikers will be hoping for a goal feast as Rovers won 12-0 at the same venue last season.

Meanwhile, although it has been reported that Liverpool are set to turn their attentions away from Rovers winger Damien Duff to Brett Emerton, Feyenoord claim they have not received any official approaches from any club for the Australian international.

Liverpool are reportedly interested again in long-term target Emerton following the collapse of their move for Lee Bowyer and Blackburn's refusal to sell Duff.

Leeds were reportedly close to a deal for the highly-rated 23-year-old only for the move to be put on hold by Bowyer's failure to join Liverpool.

This could open the door for Liverpool and manager Gerard Houllier is said to be keen on signing Emerton to strengthen his options on the right side of midfield.

Houllier has money left in his transfer kitty after he pulled the plug on Bowyer's £9million move.

Feyenoord claim no-one has spoken to them yet, but added they would be willing to do business.

Press officer Fred Blankenmeijer said: "We have not had any contact from any club in England recently or in the last month.

"Of course we would consider any offers and we would talk to any club who were interested, but at this moment in time we have not had any offers for Brett."

Rovers chief executive John Williams again confirmed that the club had received no offers for Duff while negotiations for Dwight Yorke's transfer from Manchester United were still on-going.