The Croatian is today training with his team-mates for the first time after securing a work permit and visa and manager Sam Allardyce is keen to get him up to speed after the former Hadjuk Split forward missed most of pre-season.

However, the 21-year-old will not be rushed into Barclays Premier League action and the Rovers boss plans to give him a run-out against the League One side a week tomorrow.

"Kalinic will probably play at Gillingham at the earliest," Allardyce told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"We will have a look at him and bring him on slowly."