BLACKBURN new-boy Eyal Berkovic today revealed he's considering applying for British Citizenship.

The Israeli international midfielder wants the opportunity to finish his career in Europe at Ewood under Rovers boss Graeme Souness.

But, if for some reason his dream move falls through at the end of his loan spell from Celtic, a British passport would then prevent the need for a work permit if he chose to move somewhere else in the future.

"In August I'll have been here five years so I can apply for a British passport and that's something I would like to do," said Berkovic.

"Firstly, because that's what I want. And secondly, because every time I move I need a work permit for everything."

Berkovic was set to be named among Rovers' substitutes at Nottingham Forest today. But the former West Ham schemer is happy to bide his time at his new club after months of inactivity north of the border.

"If you want to be successful then you need a big squad so that isn't a problem to me," said Berkovic.

"Everyone knows my role and that's why the manager brought me here. I play behind the front two strikers.

"But I'm not coming here to compete with people. I've come to help Blackburn gain promotion and Blackburn are helping me to play football. So we are going to help each other.

"This is a big club with a lot of ambition and I'm a very ambitious man.

"And, if things go well during this next three months, then I would want a long contract so I could stay permanently."

Souness is relishing the prospect of unleashing his new signing on the rest of the First Division. And he believes the midfield play-maker will give Rovers a new dimension. "When you play against top teams they can hit you from many different areas," said Souness.

"And that's what separates the good teams from the very good teams.

"The best team at the moment are Manchester United and they've got goals throughout their midfield, their strikers and the ones on the bench.

"And that's something we want to do here.

"We want people in the squad who can damage other teams and Eyal is different to what we have."

Berkovic was signed in time to be eligible for next week's cup tie with Bolton and he has not been called up for Israel's friendly with Moldova in Herzeliya on Wednesday as manager Richard Nielsen wants his star-man to get match-fit with Rovers as quickly as possible.