BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes is scouring the globe in a bid to shore up his leaky defence during the transfer window.

Hughes has brought in two international defenders for trials this week with a view to making a signing in January.

South African centre back Aaron Mokoena spent two days at Brockhall earlier this week and Hughes is also running the rule over New Zealand international Ryan Nelsen.

But the Rovers boss has played down reports that he's also considering offering a deal to former Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United defender Steve Howey, even though the 33-year-old is currently training with the club.

Although Rovers are unbeaten in five games and out of the bottom three, Hughes is well aware of the need to tighten up a defence that has shipped 29 goals so far this season - more than any other team in the Premiership.

Rovers have already been heavily linked with a January move for Danny Gabbidon, a player Hughes knows well from his time in charge of Wales.

However, Cardiff City manager Lennie Lawrence reiterated his determination to hang on to the 24-year-old earlier this week, which is maybe why Hughes is now broadening his search for reinforcements.

The Rovers boss took the opportunity to have a closer look at Genk defender Mokoena earlier this week.

The 24-year-old - formerly of Jomo Cosmos, Ajax and Germinal Beerschot - spent Monday and Tuesday at Brockhall.

"We brought him in to have a look at him but it's not a case of making a decision straight away," said Hughes.

Meanwhile, Kiwi defender Ryan Nelsen will spend the rest of the week training with Rovers in a bid to win a permanent deal.

Nelsen, 26, is one of the top players in New Zealand and he recently captained DC United to the US title. He was also named in the Major League Soccer all-star team but his contract with United runs out at the end of the season and he's keen to secure a move to the Premiership.

Hughes said: "He's only had a couple of days with us so far, but he's obviously keen to make an impression."

Howey is also training with Rovers after returning from a spell in the MLS but Hughes has no plans to sign the 33-year-old at this stage.

"He's training with us because he's a friend of Paul Dickov's," said the Rovers boss.

In the meantime, Jon Stead believes the 'massive improvement' in fitness levels under Mark Hughes is beginning to pay dividends for the club.

Stead is challenging for a return to the first team against Tottenham on Saturday after three weeks out with an ankle injury.

In his column for www.thefa.com, Stead said: "You can see the influence of Mark Hughes and the coaching staff beginning to show.

"There has been a massive improvement in our fitness levels and if our team doesn't have as many world class players as Chelsea or Arsenal, there is a lot you can do with organisation and hard work.

"I will resume training today and hopefully be available for selection against Spurs on Saturday.

"This is the longest I've ever had out and I don't know how players cope with long term injuries. It's a nightmare."

Lorenzo Amoruso also hopes to be back before Christmas after recovering from an operation on his heel.