ROVERS have gained international clearance for new defender Vratislav Gresko, and he is expected to play against Aston Villa this weekend.

The Slovakian international full-back joined the Ewood Park club on loan until the end of the season.

Rovers had already secured a work permit for the player who qualified for it automatically and he is now free to face Villa on Sunday.

Blackburn have had to pay Parma a small loan fee for the 25-year-old but an option to buy the player in the summer has not been written into the deal.