SOUNESS will have to delay his departure for Rovers' pre-season trip to Austria and Germany next week after a delay in his bid to sign Rangers midfielder Tugay.

The review panel which will consider Blackburn's appeal against the refusal of a work permit for the Turkish international will not now sit until next Wednesday.

The Rovers squad flies out to Austria the day before as they start stepping up their preparation for the new campaign.

Souness will therefore join the party a day later after arguing Rovers' case for a work permit for Tugay, who he feels will be well worth the wait if the £1.3 million deal is finally given the go-ahead by the Department of Employment.

He said: "I'm very optimistic. I've worked with him before and he's a top midfielder. He's got everything for me. He's vastly experienced, he doesn't give the ball away, he can pass, shoot and he's got wonderful feet.

"Until you work with someone you don't always know how good they are. I've worked with him for a year and I know how good he is."

Tugay's Rangers team-mate Claudio Reyna is not on the Rovers' shopping list, although Souness is looking to add a couple more new faces to his squad to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

He added: "I am excited. People say we've got a hard start with Manchester United at home in our first game. But I would rather have that than Grimsby away or whoever else at home.

"It's going to be difficult and there will be times when the supporters go home feeling frustrated. But that's when you show what you're made of, supporters as well.

"It's a long road and it will be a long, hard season. We will lose a few battles but I think we will be equipped to acquit ourselves well."