BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has dropped his broadest hint yet that he plans to sign Zurab Khizanishvili on a permanent deal when his loan spell runs out at the end of the season.

The Georgian international has made a big impression since he joined the club from Rangers on a season-long loan in August.

And I can reveal that Rovers were canny enough to agree a price for the 24-year-old BEFORE he began to star for the club in the Premiership, which means they could get him on the cheap in the summer.

Speaking about the possibility of signing Zura permanently, Hughes said: "It's not something that we have to do at this moment, but he's made an impact and we are pleased that we were able to bring him in.

"If, at some point, we can move it forward then I'm sure we will."