Vogel: Expected to make an impact
Mark Hughes is confident new signing Johann Vogel will prove to be a 'real asset' to Blackburn Rovers.
Vogel has signed a two-and-a-half year contract at Ewood Park after the Switzerland international impressed during a two-week trial.
The holding midfielder had been available on a free transfer after leaving Real Betis in December and could feature against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, subject to international clearance being received.
Rovers boss Hughes, who is also aiming to secure the likes of David Bentley to new contracts, is expecting Vogel to become a key member of his squad.
"There's a number of contracts still to be resolved and a number of decisions as well," said Hughes on Sky Sports News.
"It's a situation, obviously, with a view to squad planning for next year. That's ongoing, there's nothing new.
"We have done Johann Vogel this week, that's one situation that's been resolved and the others will be resolved between now and the end of the season."
Hughes added: "In the short time he's been with us, he's shown qualities that I like. He's a determined guy, he's got good presence and he'll be an asset to the club.
"He's a link man in midfield, he works his position in front of the back four, and breaks things up and sets attacks off.
"He has a good level of passing. He is a high-energy player and I think, with the experience and ability he has, he's going to be a real asset."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| Wednesday 2nd December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 20:00 | Blackburn vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Liverpool |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Blackburn |
| Tuesday 15th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Birmingham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 19th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Tottenham |
| Saturday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Blackburn |
| Monday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Sunderland |
| Monday 11th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Man City vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 16th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Fulham |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Blackburn vs Wigan |
| Saturday 30th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Blackburn |
| Wednesday 10th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Blackburn vs Hull |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Tuesday 27th October | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Blackburn 5 - 2 Peterborough | |
| Saturday 24th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 5 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunday 18th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 3 - 2 Burnley | |
| Sunday 4th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 6 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tuesday 22nd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Nottm Forest 0 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Sunday 20th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 3 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Wolverhampton | |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Ham | |
| Tuesday 25th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Gillingham 1 - 3 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 2 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 2 Man City | |
| Wednesday 5th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 Hibernian | |
| Saturday 1st August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Sheff Wed 2 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 25th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Leeds 1 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Tuesday 14th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Cambridge Utd 0 - 4 Blackburn | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Fulham | 10 | 14 |
| 12 | Wigan Athletic | 11 | 13 |
| 13 | Blackburn Rovers | 11 | 13 |
| 14 | Everton | 10 | 12 |
| 15 | Birmingham City | 11 | 11 |
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