BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is weighing up a move for Italian defender Mauro Milanese.

Rovers boss Souness sent his spies to Italy at the weekend to watch the former Inter Milan left-back in action for Perugia against Lazio.

And, after his scouts returned with favourable reports on the player, Souness is now considering the possibility of bringing him over to England on loan, although no deal is imminent.

"We did have scouts in Italy at the weekend to watch him in action against Lazio and from the reports I heard he did well," said Souness.

"His club want to sell him but they could also do a loan deal which could be an option but we are not up to that stage yet.

"I'm not going to chase it just now because we've got other things on the go.

"The pressure is slightly off us because we've now got Lucas Neill in who could also play on the left at a push.

"But I'm still actively pursuing people in the position we are trying to strengthen and Mauro is one of a number of options we are considering."

Mauro Milanese earned big money moves to both Parma and Inter Milan in the recent past with his attacking style, but struggled to hold down a first team spot - playing just 22 games in two seasons for both clubs.

He joined Perugia in June 1999 and has since started to rebuild his reputation with some sterling performances in the Italian top flight.