BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is on a collision course with the Turkish FA over the fitness of former Rangers star Tugay.

Souness's new £1.3 million summer signing has already missed Rovers' opening three Premiership matches due to a niggling thigh strain.

But the Turks are adamant the 31-year-old must still fly out to link up with the rest of the squad next week ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifying double-header against Slovakia and Sweden.

And that's prompted an angry response from Souness who now fears the player's first team debut could be pushed back even further if he's forced to report for international duty.

"We are currently having discussions with the Turkish FA because they want him to travel over there next week to prove he's unfit," said Souness.

"That's not ideal for us because it means he'd miss three or four days of treatment over here, not to mention the fact he'd be sitting on a plane for the best part of nine or 10 hours.

"So it's a strange business because we buy him, we pay him and then they get to tell us what to do."

If Souness wins his battle, then the Turk should be fit to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light two weeks today.

And that will come as a timely boost to the Rovers chief with David Dunn already facing six weeks on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments following a crunching challenge by Derby's Fabrizio Ravanelli last weekend.

Souness has decided not to pursue his interest in Lens fullback Franck Queudrue, however.

The French defender has spent the last two weeks on trial at Brockhall but Souness and his coaching staff have come to the conclusion he's not quite what they are looking for -- opening the way for Watford boss Gianluca Vialli to make a move. "He was a player of a decent standard but we decided he's not quite what we want so I think he's gone to train with Watford now," said Souness.

Meanwhile, Ewood defender Henning Berg believes Wednesday night's result against Manchester United could turn out to be just the launchpad Rovers need to get their season up and running.

"I think we proved on Wednesday that we can play against anyone," said Berg.

"When we go forward, I believe we've got the ability to create chances against anyone.

"So if we can defend like we did as a team in parts of Wednesday games then we should be okay."

Rovers were only denied a morale-boosting three points by David Beckham's controversial late free kick.

But Berg insist his team-mates must learn some valuable lessons from the whole experience.

"We weren't happy with the way they scored their second goal because when you get a man sent off and they've got a free kick 25 yards out you expect to be able to get another defender on by making a substitution straight away," said Berg.

"So it would have been interesting to see what would have happened if the keeper had been sent off.

"But it always takes time to adjust to new directives at the start of every season.

"Last season it was the diving, this time it's shirt pulling and the quick free kicks.

"And it's something we've got to get used to quickly."

BERG has been called into Norway's squad for their World Cup qualifying double-header with Poland and Wales.

TREVOR FRANCIS has this morning explained his decision to bring in Blackburn keeper Alan Kelly on a one-month loan.

He described the 32-year-old stopper as 'the best third choice keeper in the Premiership'.

"Alan is an experienced keeper who has played at the very top level for club and country.

"He has proved himself a very capable goalkeeper."

Francis does still have Kevin Poole available and he will take his place on the bench for today's trip to Walsall whilst Kelly makes his

Blues debut between the sticks.

The Blues boss explained: "I only ever saw Kevin as an understudy and someone I could call on if Nico Vaesen was injured during a game.

"I never anticipated this situation with Nico as he has not sustained one single injury during his four years at Huddersfield."

Kelly is in the Republic of Ireland squad to face Holland next Saturday and was due to meet up with his international team mates on Monday lunchtime.

However, Blues have now received special dispensation from Mick McCarthy for the keeper to play in Monday's home game with Stockport and travel to Ireland that evening.