BLACKBURN Rovers could come up against Brazilian superstar Rivaldo as part of their preparations for the new season.

Manager Mark Hughes is planning to whisk his players off to Germany for a 10-day training camp at the end of July.

And as part of the trip, Rovers have pencilled in two eye-catching friendlies against Hamburg and Rivaldo's Greek club side Olympiakos.

Rovers made a similar trip to Germany last summer and Hughes felt it was perfect preparation for the Premiership, so much so he intends to return to the same area again.

The Welshman has lined up two tough friendlies for his players, the first against Bundesliga high-fliers Hamburg on July 22, and the second against Greek champions Olympiakos on July 28.

Rivaldo, FIFA's World Player of the Year in 1999, recently signed a new one-year contract with the Greeks, for whom he has scored 19 goals in 44 league games.

One of the biggest names in World football, he was part of the Brazilian team that won the last World Cup in 2002, scoring one of his side's goals in their 2-1 victory over England en route to the final in Japan.

Before Rovers jet out to Germany on July 20, they will also play Accrington Stanley in a friendly at the newly-named Fraser Eagle Stadium (Saturday, July 19).

And a game against the New Zealand national team has also been lined up at Ewood Park on August 12.

Further friendlies have yet to be arranged.