BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is hoping to bring a new striker into the club by the end of next week.

The Rovers chief is working around the clock to fill the void created by Craig Bellamy's departure to Liverpool and his plan is to have at least one new face on board by the time the rest of the squad return for pre-season training on July 13.

Rovers want to bring in at least two new strikers up front as they prepare to mount an assault on Europe next season.

Hughes will be handed a transfer kitty of £10 million to get in the players he wants and he's currently mulling over a number of targets, both at home and abroad, as he prepares to make his next move.

"There's a lot of work going on in regard to new strikers and we are looking at a number of targets, both at home and abroad," said chairman John Williams.

"But it's vitally important we get this right so we don't want to rush into anything before making sure it's right for the club."

Rovers are keeping their cards close to their chest in regard to the identity of their main target as a number of Premiership rivals are also in the market for new frontmen.

But preliminary talks have already taken place with at least one potential signing and the club are hoping they could be in a position to unveil someone shortly.

One player who is unlikely to join Rovers this summer, however, is Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov.

Mark Hughes was keen on a move for the Bulgarian at one stage but his priorities have since changed following Bellamy's defection to Anfield.

Portsmouth have now emerged as the favourites to sign Petrov, even though they have reportedly had one bid rejected for him already.