CARLOS Villanueva’s Ewood Park future is nearing D-day with boss Paul Ince admitting he has some big decisions to make before Christmas.

The Chilean fans’ favourite is currently on a season-long loan at Rovers from Audax Italiano but, to put into place a pre-agreed £5million three year further deal, Ince has to give the green light by the end of 2008.

Robbie Fowler’s pay-as-you-play short-term deal will also expire in mid December, with Ince fearing a glut of injuries could disrupt his long-term plans.

Several triallists are expected to arrive at Ewood in the next couple of weeks, ahead of the January transfer window, and the Rovers boss knows he faces a busy next couple of months.

He said: “It is hard because the way things are going, we can’t actually get a settled side.

“You are managing the team by trial and error, because down to circumstances, you don’t get to see Robbie as much as you would like to and Carlos.

“It is hard at this time but I am sure we will get there.

"There are some decisions to be made and we will be sitting down to make them.”

Villanueva has already shown glimpses of his undoubted potential is his limited number of first-team starts to date but has also displayed a tendency to frustrate.

Ince is confident the 22-year-old has the potential to be the latest Rovers gem but admits time is not on the club’s side to sort the youngster’s future.

He said: “When he has come in he has done ever so well. He has just got back into the Chilean squad and Keith Andrews just got into the Ireland squad so they must be doing something right. They are a credit to themselves.

“When Carlos has played he gives us something different. He is a special talent.

“The only thing I have said before when you come to a new country and don’t speak the language, and stuck in a hotel room, it does take time to settle down.

“We haven’t got that time. We are going to have to make a decision sooner rather than later but he is definitely one who would benefit what we are trying to do at Blackburn Rovers.

“He loves it here, he is even getting used to the weather.

"He wants to get better and wants to improve and is at the right place for that.”