BLACKBURN striker Matt Jansen will become a Coventry City player in the next 24 hours.

I can reveal that Sky Blues chief Gary McAllister has won the battle to sign the 25-year-old on a three-month loan deal after talks with the player's agent.

And that means disappointment for Burnley boss Stan Ternent who was hoping to lure the Ewood goal ace to Turf Moor instead.

"In principle, both parties have agreed to it so it's now a case of sorting out the finer details," said Jansen's agent, Jay Bevington, today.

"Coventry were his number one choice for lots of different reasons.

"Gary McAllister is an up-and-coming young manager who's got his team playing good football.

"And that was one of the main reasons why Matt has decided to join them."

McAllister has long been an admirer of Jansen's and he expressed an interest in signing him at a fans' forum earlier this week, as we revealed yesterday.

City scouts were also at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night to watch Jansen in action for Rovers reserves.

And the reports McAllister received back from that game persuaded him to make the move.

"They watched him in the reserves on Tuesday night and they've been watching him quite a few times recently," said Bevington.

"Apparently, they've been very impressed with what they've seen which is why they want him."

A host of clubs, including Burnley, Derby, Wolves and Watford, had been chasing Jansen.

But the former England Under 21 international decided to plump for Coventry because they play good football, they are in with a shout of the play-offs, and their Highfield Road ground is within reasonable proximity to the North West.

Rovers will continue to pay a major chunk of Jansen's wages in order to finance the deal but the club are more concerned with getting him some competitive games at the right club rather than saving money.