PORTUGUESE international Abel Xavier is attempting to resurrect his career at Blackburn Rovers.

The former Liverpool and Everton defender has been training with the club during the last few days in a bid to convince Mark Hughes he's worth a permanent deal.

Xavier, who's as famous for his striking looks as he is for his football ability, has been looking for a club since he quit German side Hanover in the summer.

He was linked with a return to the Premiership at Portsmouth in October - before Harry Redknapp quit the south coast club.

Now the 32-year-old has turned up at Brockhall, where he's hoping to prove he can help solve Rovers' defensive problems, and he played in a specially arranged practice match yesterday.

Blackburn boss Hughes has made no secret of his desire to bolster a defence that is among the leakiest in the Premiership.

South African international defender Aaron Mokoena - whose nickname is 'The Axe' - spent two days with the club last week and New Zealand international stopper Ryan Nelsen is now in the second week of a similar trial spell after impressing Hughes and his coaching staff.

The advantage of moving for Xavier is Hughes could sign him BEFORE the transfer window as he's technically without a club, which means he would be available for a busy programme of games over the festive period.

Xavier boasts a wealth of experience at the highest level, having played top-flight football in a host of countries across Europe.

He started his career at Est Amadora before going on to play for Benfica, Bari, Real Oviedo and PSV Eindhoven.

He moved to the Premiership in September 1999 when he signed for Everton in a £1.5 million deal, then three years later he joined an exclusive band of players who have crossed the Merseyside divide when Liverpool paid £800,000 to take him across Stanley Park.

However, things didn't work out as planned at Anfield and he eventually had his contract cancelled in the summer of 2003 following a turbulent loan spell with Turkish giants Galatasaray.

In the meantime, Hughes has been dealt a blow ahead of Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace after Tugay suffered an injury during yesterday's practice match.

The 34-year-old midfielder collapsed in pain following a collision with his Rovers team-mate Jay Bothroyd.

Rovers' medical staff were due to assess the extent of the damage today but it is feared Tugay could be ruled out for up to a month with knee ligament damage. He left the training ground on crutches last night with his leg heavily strapped.

That means David Thompson could be handed his first start under Hughes for the trip to Crystal Palace.