Last updated on .From the section Football

Blackburn Rovers are set to appoint Blackpool manager Michael Appleton as their new boss on Friday.

Blackburn were granted permission to speak to the former Portsmouth boss, who has only been at Blackpool for 66 days, on Thursday evening.

The deal to take the 37-year-old to Ewood Park is expected to be completed swiftly and he may watch Rovers play Wolves from the stands at Molineux.

Caretaker boss Gary Bowyer is likely to be in charge of the team.

He has led Blackburn to three straight wins in his temporary spell as boss.

Michael Appleton - the manager Took charge of West Brom for one game in February 2011

Appointed Portsmouth boss in November 2011

Pompey record - P51 W13 D11 L27

Appointed Blackpool boss November 2012

Blackpool record - P12 W2 D8 L2

The Tangerines rejected the initial approach for Appleton, who only took charge at Bloomfield Road on 7 November.

But a club statement released on Thursday said: external-link "Following discussions with Blackburn Rovers and Michael Appleton, permission has been granted for the manager to discuss personal terms with the club."

First-team coach Ashley Westwood will also speak to Blackburn about joining Appleton.

Rovers have won all three matches since

with assistant Steve Thompson leading the session.

to replace Ian Holloway at Bloomfield Road and has won two, lost two and drawn eight of his 12 matches in charge of the Seasiders.

Rovers are in 13th place in the Championship, five points short of the play-off places and one place above Blackpool, whose last win came against Blackburn on 15 December.

Blackpool have earmarked as a possible replacement for Appleton.