BLACKBURN Rovers face a fight with the Premier League if they choose to appoint Paul Ince as the club's next manager.

A Premier League spokesman has confirmed to the Lancashire Telegraph that Rovers would need to seek a special dispensation before Ince could start work in the top-flight.

Under current Premier League rules, any new managers to the league must have a UEFA Pro coaching licence, which Ince currently does not possess.

Rovers would therefore have to present a compelling argument' before a Premier League panel to persuade the league to relax its rules.

A Premier League spokesman said: "The club would have to make a compelling case to the Premier League board, stating why he hasn't done his badges, and why they believe he should be exempt from the rule, and then the board would make a judgement."

There have been cases in the past, notably involving Glenn Roeder at Newcastle and Gareth Southgate at Middlesbrough, when the Premier League has agreed to make exceptions.

However, each case is considered on its own merits and there are no guarantees.

Although Ince has been a manager for several seasons, he currently has no coaching badges, but plans to attend a coachign course at Aberystwyth University this week to show he is serious about getting them.