ROVERS boss Graeme Souness has turned to the continent in a bid to bolster his defensive resources after Frenchman Franck Queudrue flew into England last night for a trial.

The 22-year-old Lens defender has been recommended to Souness by a third party after he burst onto the scene in the French League last season.

And, if he impresses over the next few days at Brockhall, then Rovers will open talks about a possible deal as they step up their search for extra defensive cover ahead of the big kick-off in three days time.

"There is a player over on trial at the moment," said chief executive John Williams today.

"He's a full-back and he's going to be joining the camp for a few days but that's all it is at this stage.

"Obviously, he's come over to try and impress and his club have given us permission to have a look at him, which means they would be prepared to sell.

"But there certainly hasn't been any discussions about buying him or what it would cost us or anything like that because at this stage, Graeme and his staff haven't even had chance to have a proper look at him yet."

A strong and powerful defender, Queudrue has come through the ranks at Lens and made 22 league and cup appearances in France last season.

A fee in the region of £3 million has already been banded about in some quarters for the highly-rated youngster.

But Rovers are unlikely to cough up that kind of money for a player who is relatively inexperienced at the highest level.

The mere fact he is over in England, however, underlines the fact Souness is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to bring in new blood.

With Stig Bjornebye the only recognised left-sided defender on the books, Rovers are desperately short of cover in that department.

And, after having bids rejected for Birmingham's Martin Grainger and Liverpool's Djimi Traore, Souness is now widening his net as he continues to search for a solution to a problem which has troubled him all summer.

Meanwhile, midfield duo Alan Mahon and Damien Johnson both stepped up their comebacks in the reserves last night.

Rovers' second string lost 4-1 to Manchester City in the FA Premier Reserve League (North).

But Mahon and Johnson both played a full 90 minutes following recent injury problems as they look to force their way back into Graeme Souness's first team plans.