TOMMO TAKES

CENTRE STAGE

Tommo takes

centre stage

Souey hands star

a new role

By ANDY NEILD in Germany

BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today revealed he's ready to hand David Thompson a new role in the centre of his midfield next season.

The former Liverpool star is now firmly back on the road to full-fitness again after making his first appearance in nine months on the club's pre-season tour of Germany.

And Souness sees the 26-year-old as a big part of his plans in the coming months as he looks to unleash his creative talents on unsuspecting Premiership opponents.

In the past, Thompson has spent most of his Rovers career out wide, where he's been comfortable doing a job on either the right or the left flank.

However, Souness feels the time may now be right to switch him to a more central position, where he can wreak havoc in more dangerous areas of the pitch.

"That's where I see Tommo playing and that's where he sees his future as well," said Souness.

"We might have to tinker with the system a little bit but that's how we see him.

"He's got an eye for a goal and the nearer you can get him to the opposition's goal, the more dangerous he will be.

"He can open up a defence with a pass or just one little piece of ability and it's a great plus for us to have him available again."

When Thompson first signed for Rovers from Coventry two years ago, his form was such that it earned him a call-up to the full England squad.

However, a succession of knee problems then kept him sidelined for the best part of 18 months and his attacking qualities were sorely missed by Souness and Rovers during that time.

Thankfully, though, those fitness problems now

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seem to be behind him and he's featured in two of Rovers' three friendlies in Germany so far, on both occasions in a central midfield role.

"To be honest, I'm not that bothered how I play at the moment," said Thompson, who nearly scored with a thunderous 35-yard volley against SSV Reutlingen on Tuesday night.

"I just wanted to get some action under my belt and I was made up to get out there with the boys again.

"I'm probably being a bit over cautious at the minute but it's been a nice easy comeback, which is what you want because I just want to ease my way back into things.

"It just feels good to pull on a kit again, shout the lads names, and get a pass.

"The last 18 months have been really hard so this is a little reward for me.

"I know I've still got a long way to go but I'm just pleased that I've got my foot back on the ladder again."

Rovers are next in action tomorrow night with Bohemians Prague likely to provide the opposition.

As winners of the SSV Reutlingen tournament, Rovers were originally due to play the victors of a similar tournament featuring Birmingham City.

However, Souness doesn't want to play a fellow Premiership club at this early stage in his side's pre-season preparations.

Coventry boss Peter Reid has played down stories he is about to swoop for Dwight Yorke.

Javier De Pedro won't miss the opening Premiership game after being sent off in pre-season because the current tournament in Germany is governed by its own rules.

TOMMO GETS NEW ROLE

FROM BACK PAGE

plus for us to have him available again."

When Thompson first signed for Rovers from Coventry two years ago, his form was such that it earned him a call-up to the full England squad.

However, a succession of knee problems then kept him sidelined for the best part of 18 months and his attacking qualities were sorely missed by Souness and Rovers during that time.

Thankfully, though, those fitness problems now seem to be behind him and he's featured in two of Rovers' three friendlies in Germany so far, on both occasions in a central midfield role.

"To be honest, I'm not that bothered how I play at the moment," said Thompson, who nearly scored with a thunderous 35-yard volley against SSV Reutlingen on Tuesday night.

"I just wanted to get some action under my belt and I was made up to get out there with the boys again."