NIKOLA Kalinic is determined to prove he can still be a Premier League hit but can see his dreams of making his point at Blackburn Rovers fading.

The Croatian international – who scored the winning goal for his country last Friday night in a crucial Euro 2012 qualifer – has had limited first team chances ever since moving to Rovers for £6million in August 2009 but Kalinic still wants to carve out a career for himself at Ewood.

Sources close to the striker have revealed he hopes to have talks with boss Steve Kean this month about whether he will be in his plans for next campaign, before deciding on his future.

Premier League clubs are believed to be interested in him but in an ideal world Kalinic wants to remain in East Lancashire if he is likely to get regular football.

Boss Steve Kean has already said he hopes to bring in two new strikers this summer and, with Jason Roberts, Ruben Rochina and Benjani also still expected to be at the club next season, Kalinic’s Rovers prospects are looking increasingly slim.

The 23-year-old isn’t prepared to settle for another season on the substitutes bench and will seek a move if Kean does not see him competing to be a first choice striker.

Rovers are understood to be resigned to losing out on Kalinic in the event of his departure, with rivals understood to be lining up bids between £3m to £4m, but would insist on a sell-on clause in any deal.

Contrary to speculation, there has been no bust up between Kalinic and Kean, despite the striker being frozen out of Rovers’ end to the Premier League campaign.

It has been suggested by sources close to the club that Kalinic has struggled to fit in with the rest of the squad, partly due to a communication breakdown.

The striker made an explosive start to Kean’s regime back in December when he scored two goals in the 3-1 win at West Brom, before being sent off late on for a needless challenge.

Since then he has been nothing more than a bit-part player with just three Premier League starts since and being left out of the squad completely on numerous occasions.

Despite his clubs struggles, Kalinic remains an integral part of Croatia’s bid to qualify for next summer’s European Championships.

He came off the bench on Friday night to score his country’s winner in their 2-1 qualifier over Georgia in Split.

Kalinic’s future is expected to be on the agenda when Kean travels to India to meet his bosses early this month, with the player himself confident he can be a success in the Premier League.