BLACKBURN Rovers boss Mark Hughes is still hopeful of adding a new defender to his squad before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.

Hughes has already made two bids for the Dutch defender Andre Ooijer, both of which were rejected by PSV Eindhoven last week.

Now the Rovers chief is considering whether or not to make a third and final offer for the 32-year-old, knowing that time is running out if he has to start pursuing other targets.

"We've made a bid for Andre Ooijer so we're still hopeful that might happen before the start of the season," said Hughes.

"If it gets to a level that we can't get to then we'll have to concede it's not going to happen.

"But it's dependent on PSV. He's their player, we've made a bid, so it's up to them whether they accept it or not."

Asked if he had other irons in the fire, Hughes responded: "We're still looking at a number of players.

"Ideally, I would have liked them in the building a week before the season starts, but if we have to wait until the last evening of the window, which has happened on other occasions, then we will do.

"There are still deals to be made late on so I'm sure we'll be involved right up to the window closing."