EWOOD new-boy Nils-Eric Johansson has set his sights on a place in the full Sweden squad after checking in at Brockhall today.

Rovers' new £2.7 million signing was officially unveiled this morning at a Press Conference following his eagerly anticipated move from German Bundesliga side Nuremberg.

And now he hopes playing in the Premiership with Blackburn will give him the extra exposure he needs to earn a call-up to the international stage after Sweden booked their place at the World Cup finals last weekend.

"Because of the interest the Premier League generates in Sweden, particularly in the newspapers, maybe that will help me to get into the national team," said the Sweden Under 21 captain.

"I'll have to play well and we'll have to win games at Blackburn.

"But if that happens then maybe it might help to open a few doors for me."

Johnasson has revealed former Rover Patrick Andersson played a big part in helping him decide his future lay with Rovers after he consulted his fellow Swede after first hearing of Graeme Souness's interest last week.

"I talked to Patrick before I decided to come here and he was very complimentary about the whole club," said Johnasson.

"He said the facilities and the club's board of directors were all very good and professional.

"And he said Ewood Park was unbelievable in terms of the atmosphere generated by the fans. So his comments played a part in my decision.

"But in Sweden, the Premier League has always been the number one league and to play in it has always been something I've thought about.

"So I see this as a good opportunity to play for a very good, well-known club in England.

"Blackburn have maybe had some rough years since they won the Premiership but they are coming back now and they have an interesting team with a lot of good, young players.

"So I see this as a great challenge."

Naturally left-footed and strong in the air, Johansson has spent most of his career operating as a centre back.

But he has been used as a left-back during spells with Bayern Munich and Nuremberg, where he was voted by one paper the most accomplished defender in the German Second Division last season. And, though competition for places is sure to be strong once Craig Short and Martin Taylor return from injury, Johnasson is ready to bide his time.

"There's always going to be competition whichever club you're at and but that can only be good because it means I'll have to train harder and you can only get better as a player by doing that. Obviously, no-one wants to sit on the bench but as a new player it's going to be hard for the manager to throw me straight in so it might be a case of having to wait for my chance."

Johannson is included in the Rovers squad for tomorrow's Worthington Cup clash with Middlesbrough - as is Short and John Curtis.

Henning Berg is still sidelined, while Marcus Bent is suspended and Lucas Neill is cup-tied.

There is still no place for Damien Duff and Keith Gillespie who are both still in the treatment room.