Rovers reject Popov reports

Blackburn today denied they had failed to sign Bulgaria striker Ivelin Popov because the player was refused a work permit.

Rovers had looked at bringing the 22-year-old Litex Lovech forward to Ewood Park.

But they insisted they pulled the plug on the deal, not the British Government.

Popov had a trial at Blackburn last month but reports today suggest he would only have been signed had Jason Roberts moved elsewhere on transfer deadline day.

Popov has scored three goals in 15 matches for his country since making his debut in 2007 and is expected to start Friday’s opening European Championship qualifier against England at Wembley.