A DUO of African Nations Cup winners will arrive at Ewood Park next week as Blackburn Rovers continue to scour the world to defy their limited transfer kitty.

Egyptians Ahmed Al-Muhammadi and Hosny Abd-Rabbo will start a five-day trial in Lancashire next Wednesday, looking to follow in the footsteps of international team-mate and Wigan striker Amr Zaki.

Midfielder Abd-Rabbo and right winger Al-Muhammadi were in the same Egyptian team as the current Premier League joint second top scorer that were crowned champions of Africa earlier this year.

Both have attracted the attention of top European sides in the recent months but next week will be handed the chance to make their mark in England with Paul Ince’s side.

The arrival of the pair follows a number of triallists already at the club, including Macclesfield striker Nick Blackman and Swede Astrit Ajdarevic, as Rovers continue their policy of putting players through their paces before a permanent deal.

Norwegian defender Tore Reginiussen is due in Lancashire this weekend to discuss a potential switch from Tromso but any move for Gambian midfielder Tijan Jaiteh looks dead.

The Lancashire Telegraph reported on Wednesday the youngster had been invited to Lancashire for a trial but his Norwegian club SK Brann are now believed to have scuppered the move, claiming he would never be granted a work permit.

Rovers are also believed to have sent scouts to South America to watch a possible target as they continue to cover all options ahead of the opening of the January transfer market.

Rovers chairman John Williams said: “This is the way we like to do things. We like to know what we are getting before we commit ourselves.”

Abd-Rabbo, 24, finished joint second top scorer in Egypt’s successful 2008 African Nations Cup campaign and was named in the team of the tournament.

The defensive midfielder, nicknamed ‘the Caesar’, is currently on loan at Al Ahli in Dubai from Egyptian outfit El-Ismaily but has been tracked by a number of clubs, including Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Paris St Germain.

Right-winger Al-Muhammadi is considered a possible replacement for David Bentley and his performances for Egypt and club side Ennpi have led to him being touted as his the country’s future star.

He started all six games of Egypt’s second round of World Cup qualifiers, and can also play at right back or as makeshift striker.

Egyptian outfit Ennpi turned down a bid from Hertha Berlin for the 21-year-old last summer.