GREEK flyer George Donis linked up with his new Blackburn Rovers team-mates at Brockhall this week and vowed he's ready for anything.

The former Panathinaikos winger, who was tracked by both Manchester United and Arsenal but opted for Ewood, has been thrown straight in at the deep end with pre-season training.

But Donis is determined to make an impression as he becomes the first Greek to play in the Premiership.

"I never fear a challenge. I am quite sure of myself and my ability," he said, speaking through an interpreter as he gets to grips with a new lifestyle and language.

"The reason I chose this club was because I believe it can be successful.

"My only disappointment is that we will not be playing in European football this season.

"But, hopefully, we will be back in Europe the season after."

Donis has been the subject of attention from a number of clubs.

United are believed to have had him closely watched on a number of occasions.

But, once he became a free agent, Rovers made their move and snapped up the winger.

Ewood colleague Colin Hendry has already witnessed the blistering pace of Donis.

Scotland have played Greece recently and Donis is a regular in the national squad.

His arrival will make competition for places even keener, though Rovers will have to look elsewhere other than Old Trafford if they are to bring in another forward. Yesterday's £4 million bid for Eric Cantona, exclusively revealed in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, has been rejected.

When the bid arrived, United's assistant secretary Ken Ramsden said: " There's no way the matter will be considered. The offer has been rejected out of hand. Eric will not be going to Blackburn or anywhere else."

Rovers chairman Robert Coar had not actually received an official rejection of the bid from United this morning.

But he told me: "If what I have read is correct and the player is not for sale, then we will respect that, as we would expect other clubs to do in similar circumstances."

That was a clear hint to Old Trafford to forget their interest in Alan Shearer.

Rovers have arranged a series of reserve team friendly matches, all away, against non-League sides, while the senior squad tour the South East and Holland.

They will start with a game against Caernarfon on July 26 (7pm) and face Portmadoc (6pm) the following day.

Closer to home, Rovers take on Clitheroe at Shawbridge on Saturday, August 3 (3pm) and visit St Helens Town on August 10 (3pm).

They finish with a game at Mossley on August 14 (7-30pm).

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