EYAL Berkovic's loan move to Rovers now hinges on a work permit after Celtic finally agreed to sanction a temporary deal last night.

The Israeli international was set to have a medical this morning before training with his new team-mates at Brockhall for the first time.

And Ewood officials are hopeful their application for a work permit will go through in time for him to be in contention for Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest.

"We've got an agreement in place with Celtic which has enabled them to let Eyal travel down to Blackburn," said chief executive John Williams.

"So he will be having a medical today before training with the rest of the squad.

"Beyond that, we have applied for a work permit and we are hopeful that will go through by the end of the week."

Rovers' application should be a formality as Berkovic has played in 19 of Israel's last 23 internationals.

Meanwhile, former Blackburn defender Chris Coleman has vowed to play on despite suffering serious leg injuries in a recent car crash.

Fulham's Welsh international underwent five operations in six days following the smash in January.

He plans to watch Fulham play next week and wants to return to action himself next season.