CRYSTAL Palace winger Julian Gray can win himself a permanent move to Blackburn tonight when he plays for Rovers' reserves against West Brom.

Rovers have been given permission by Palace to play the 23-year-old in the game at Morecambe's Christie Park.

And Ewood chief Graeme Souness hopes to be there in person to run the rule over the speedy wide-man as he contemplates adding him to his star-studded squad.

"We'll have a look at Julian in a competitive game and then come to some decision after that," said Souness.

Gray is currently on trial at Brockhall after quitting Palace in the summer to pursue his dream of a career in the Premiership.

And he hopes he can make enough of an impression this evening to convince Souness to make it a more long-term arrangement.

"At this stage in my career I just want to play in the Premiership," said Gray, who has also been attracting interest from Charlton.

"I just want the opportunity to play and show what I can do.

"Blackburn and Charlton are both big clubs, they are both up there, so hopefully I can sign for one of them.

"When you go to a club like Blackburn and see the players they have already got it makes you want to do well and be among those kind of players all the time."

Although the transfer window has now slammed shut for Premiership clubs, Rovers would still be free to sign Gray if they wanted to because he's a free agent.

However, as he is still under 24, Palace would also be entitled to some form of compensation payment under the terms of the Bosman ruling.

Charlton have already had a £250,000 offer rejected by Palace chairman Simon Jordan.

The Londoners are thought to be looking for a fee nearer the £500,000 mark.

But if Rovers decided they wanted to pursue their interest in the player they would have the option of going to a tribunal over the fee.

Gray is an out-and-out left winger and there could well be room for him in Souness's plans given the fact that both Damien Duff and Alan Mahon -- the only two natural left-sided midfielders from last season's squad -- have moved on recently.

"This is an opportunity for the manager to have a look at him," said reserve boss Alan Murray.

"He's been around one or two clubs and it may be that he can offer us something we haven't got already."

Rovers' squad for tonight is: Kelly, Peers, Martin Taylor, Johansson, McEveley, Morgan, Donnelly, Nelson, Gray, Grabbi, Gallagher, Renton, Fitzgerald, Pelzer, Michael Taylor.