SHAY Given's transfer to Newcastle United has sparked a Europe-wide goalkeeper hunt at Ewood Park.

And new Blackburn Rovers chief Roy Hodgson has ordered the capture of an experienced deputy to Tim Flowers as a number one priority.

Caretaker boss Tony Parkes confirmed today that Rovers expect to have a new goalkeeper in place for the start of pre-season training.

"Bringing in an experienced goalkeeper is a very high priority. It is the most pressing matter at the club, probably more so than bringing outfield players in," he explained.

"It is a very important position and we want to get the situation sorted out in the next couple of weeks.

"We've a couple of targets under review and we will be looking at players over the weekend in Europe.

"We need a goalkeeper in quickly and for the start of training next month. We don't want to be going on tour to Sweden without experienced back up for Tim Flowers." First choice Flowers was on stand-by to play for England in tonight's tasty Le Tournoi international against Italy in Nantes.

But the departure of the highly-rated Given to Newcastle has left Rovers with little experience in reserve.

Parkes added: "We have high hopes that Anthony Williams is going to make a good goalkeeper but he is not quite ready for that standard yet.

"We need experienced cover for Tim and that is the avenue we are going down at the moment."

Meanwhile, Rovers are expected to announce the appointment of a new physiotherapist following the shock departure of Steve Foster.

As the we revealed in later editions of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph last night, Foster has parted company with the club after two years with Rovers.

Chairman Rob Coar said: "The club expect to be in a position to announce a new appointment prior to the commencement of pre-season training."

Paul Ince regrets angrily rounding on Blackburn for "snubbing" him.

And the Inter Milan star still believes he can return to England despite those remarks.

He said before tonight's England game against Italy: "It hurts when you're an England player and you read some clubs don't want you.

"But maybe I shouldn't have said what I did. I acted a bit silly."

Arsenal are reported to have pipped a host of top clubs to the signature of £4.5million-rated Monaco wing back Emmanuel Petit.

Rovers, along with other clubs like Rangers, Tottenham and Inter Milan, have maintained a keen eye on the 26-year-old Frenchman's situation.

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