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New signing

New boy in race

to face United

Debut race

BLACKBURN Rovers' latest signing Morten Gamst Pedersen faces a race against time in his bid to make a dream debut against Manchester United tomorrow.

Rovers boss Graeme Souness finally got his man late last night when Pedersen put pen to paper on a four-year deal.

But Ewood officials must now get international clearance from the Norwegian FA by 5pm today if Pedersen is to line-up against the Reds this weekend.

Souness's summer-long chase for the 23-year-old finally reached a successful conclusion shortly after 9pm last night.

As I understand it, Rovers will pay an initial fee of £1.5 million for the hottest property in Norwegian football, which is actually LESS than the offer Tromso rejected earlier in the summer.

Further performance-related payments may follow but Rovers' patience has been rewarded and the feeling around Ewood is the club have got themselves a bargain.

Pedersen had attracted the attention of several rival clubs in the Premiership and at one point even United themselves were said to be interested in taking him to Old Trafford.

But Souness's persistence has finally paid off and he hopes to hand him a debut against the Reds tomorrow in a game that Rovers could do with winning.

Just one point from the opening three games represents a poor start and Souness wants that first elusive win under his belt as soon as possible.

"We've Manchester United tomorrow and then Newcastle away, so it's big balls time, but it's also a psychological thing," said Souness.

"Our job is to look at how we are.

"Our football has been decent in the three matches so far, and maybe luck hasn't been with us.

"But if we can continue to play like we did in the first-half against Arsenal, then I'll be delighted."

In the meantime, while Pedersen was being introduced to his new team-mates today, one member of the current Rovers squad could be heading for the

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exit door in the next few days.

Coca-Cola Championship rivals Wigan Athletic and West Ham United are both thought to be preparing moves for Andy Todd.

Souness has made it clear that the former Charlton and Bolton defender has no future at Rovers and the club would be willing to let him go for around £500,000.

Tickets for tomorrow's game against Manchester United were still available from the Ewood ticket office today.

No tickets can be sold on the day of the game.