NIKLAS Gudmundsson is set to sign for Malmo for £300,000 before Blackburn Rovers' final Scandinavian tour game against Hvidovre in Copenhagen on Saturday.
But don't expect Rovers boss Roy Hodgson to dash out and bring in a replacement such as Milan's left winger Jesper Blomqvist who has been linked with a big money move to Ewood.
Gudmundsson played what could well have been his final Rovers match against Norrkoping last night then said: "I think it will be agreed with Malmo in the next couple of days." The Swedish International has not had a great deal of opportunity to make his mark since joining Rovers from Halmstad for £800,000 some 18 months ago.
In fact, he has made only one senior start plus a few substitute appearances.
Malmo have been talking to him about a return to Sweden since Rovers completed the £500,000 signing of their midfielder Anders Andersson.
Hodgson revealed that a sticking point could have been personal terms, as Malmo obviously cannot afford the sort of contracts handed out in the Premiership. But that now seems to have been ironed out with the transfer to go through shortly.
"That's how I see it," said Hodgson. "Niklas was good last night, he did an honest job and I was pleased for him.
"And he got us a penalty for the second goal which killed the game off.
"But I think that the competition for places we have is so enormous that the only decision he can make is to try it back here. Because I can't give him any guarantees.
"I have got to say that in the last 10 days I have worked with him he's done well."
Gudmundsson also shone once he had settled down in a three-month loan spell at Ipswich at the end of last season. But they are struggling for cash and, realistically, there is not going to be any place for him in the Ewood first team next season.
Hodgson, meanwhile, shrugged off speculation that he is moving in for another Swede who plays on the left, former IFK Gothenburg star Blomqvist now with AC Milan.
Hodgson said it was news to him adding: "That's the way things are at the moment. Every time a player is a bit unsettled they look at a club who's got the money to buy him and they put him with that club.
"Especially if there's some sort of tie up as there is with me and the Italians.
"With my contacts in Switzerland, Italy and Sweden I am going to be connected with a lot of players aren't I."
The manager was pleased by both performances last night seeing good progress made. "The attitude is exceptional at the moment, showing a desire to work hard and do a good job.
"That's a very good sign in my opinion because we have only been working 10 days together and it's very good to see that.
"With this attitude you have a chance and what's more there are good players at the club."
He was pleased to see the goals going in at last saying: "We deserved them, especially in the second half.
"We had the ball at the front of their goal so often and with the quality of players we have got we expect them to produce some goal chances.
"I was very happy about that and it's also good for players like Chris Sutton and Kevin Gallacher to score goals. We haven't done any real preparations for the games, other than the tactical work we have done on the training field, of which I saw signs last night because the players are quick on the uptake."
New goalkeeper John Filan wasn't involved last night because of a slight back injury.
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