TURKISH midfield ace Tugay Kerimoglu today insisted he's still heading for Ewood despite the fact the Home Office have refused to grant him a work permit.

Rovers were hopeful of signing the player this week after agreeing personal terms and a transfer fee of £1.3 million with Scottish giants Rangers.

But their application for a permit was yesterday rejected on the grounds he has not played enough internationals for Turkey in the last two years to be granted permission to play in the Premiership.

Rovers will now appeal against that decision as they did, successfully, on behalf of American keeper Brad Friedel last season.

And the skilful playmaker remains convinced the ruling will be reversed in time for him to link up with the rest of the squad for the start of pre-season training.

"The Blackburn officials have told me not to worry about it," said Tugay.

"My coach Graeme Souness has also told me not to think about it.

"I know Blackburn will appeal and they are going to sort everything out.

"So I am not worried. I know I will be wearing a Blackburn shirt next season."

Tugay might have played in the required number of internationals had it not been for the fact that he was banished from the Turkey squad after falling out with former national team coach Mustafa Denizli during Euro 2000.

The 30-year-old schemer was sent home during the middle of the tournament after reacting angrily to being substituted during a game against Belgium, resulting in him being cast out into the international wilderness.

However, the player has since returned to the international set up after Denizli was replaced by Senol Gunes last year.

And Rovers are confident they have strong grounds for an appeal after he only just failed to meet the initial criteria anyway.

"Our initial application has been unsuccessful because Tugay played in 71 per cent of international matches over the last two seasons, falling short of the 75 per cent requirement laid down for for automatic qualification," said Rovers secretary Tom Finn.

"We were always aware of that situation, but felt that he may be granted a permit having missed three internationals because of injury.

"However, Work Permits UK say he does not quite match up to the criteria and we have now requested that the matter be put before the Football Review Panel.

"This is precisely the procedure we followed in advance of signing Brad Friedel and we remain confident of signing Tugay in due course."