ROVERS striker Andy Cole will be in the squad bound for Newcastle this weekend after agreeing a truce with Graeme Souness.

The Blackburn boss met with his striker yesterday, and the pair patched up their differences.

The meeting ended with a cordial handshake, and Souness has called an end to the matter.

Cole was forced to train on his own earlier this week after refusing to say sorry following a training ground incident.

That led to some sections of the media claiming Rovers were ready to sell the striker in the summer but a reconciliation has now been achieved -- as we hinted in yesterday's paper.

John Williams, Rovers chief executive, said: "I am delighted to say that the matter has been resolved to everyone's satisfaction, and Andy will be available for selection for the Newcastle match.

"I was always confident it would be sorted out internally, and that's exactly what has happened.

"We are pleased to have Andy Cole back on board. Incidents like this happen at clubs up and down the country, and the whole situation has been blown out of all proportion by some sections of the Press.

"We are now focusing on the last eight games. We want to finish the season positively by picking up as many points as we possibly can."

Souness must now decide whether to bring Cole straight back into his starting line-up or stick with the team which beat Arsenal last weekend.

But whatever he decides, Academy striker Paul Gallagher may still feature on the bench at St James's Park as well.

The 17-year-old made his debut as a second-half substitute in Rovers' 2-0 win over the Gunners last weekend and impressed his boss.

"Paul has done very well in the reserves, he has scored a lot of goals for them, and I feel he is a young player who has got a big chance," said Souness.

"He has all the attributes to become a player at the highest level.

"Goalscorers are one of the hardest things to find, but he's been scoring regularly for the reserves and he looks a real prospect."

Souness was delighted with the way Gallagher handled the big occasion at Ewood against the likes of Pascal Cygan and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, as well as counterparts Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.

"He came on for 15 minutes against one of the best teams in the world, but he didn't look as if he was overawed by it," said the Rovers boss.

"And to say he's only 17, he dealt with things very well.

"That's all part of what they learn in the Academy. As well as playing football and learning about the game, they are taught the correct things about being proper human beings.

"We've got very good people looking after them in Rob Kelly and Bobby Downes.

"Part of their job is to teach them how to be young men because they are entering a man's world and they have to grow up very fast."

Souness added that, as well as Gallagher and Jay McEveley, who made a good impression at left back before the arrival of Vratislav Gresko, Neil Danns and Jonathan Douglas would also be knocking on the first team door again in the near future after making their debuts in cup competitions this season.

All four players are graduates of the club's Academy and their progress highlights the importance of nurturing home-grown talent.

"Jack (Walker) spent close on £8 million to build the Academy, so we have to get results from it or it's a lot of money and time that has been wasted," said Souness.

"The lads are in a very competitive situation, with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton, Bolton and Burnley all in close proximity and looking to produce good players."

David Dunn is fit for the Newcastle match but Lucas Neill is still suspended.