Blackburn Rovers coach Mark Rees has been invited to a series of training sessions at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Rees, who works as a Foundation phase and recruitment coach at the Championship club, accepted an offer from former Premier League star Eyal Berkovic, who visited South Manchester Maccabi sports club this week.

Rees is looking forward to his first trip to Israel, where he will also advise at Berkovic’s football school during a scheduled four-day visit in mid-December.

He said: "It's great to have the opportunity to work with the Maccabi players. I will sit in on a first-team training session as well as the juniors sections.

"I work with top-level players and coaches in England and hope I can pass on some of my knowledge. Anything I can pick up from my trip will be beneficial. It’s going to be exciting."

Asked why there are not more Israelis playing in England, Rees said: "The problem is three-fold. It’s not easy getting a work permit these days and the only way they will succeed over here is by coming over at an early age. They must do incredibly well at their club to attract interest."