BLACKBURN winger Keith Gillespie heads for Chelsea tomorrow knowing he's got one last chance to earn himself a new contract.

Gillespie looks set to figure over the next few weeks in the absence of injured duo David Thompson and Damien Duff.

And with his current deal set to run out in the summer, the Northern Ireland international knows this is probably his last opportunity to persuade Graeme Souness to offer him a new one.

So far, Rovers have shown no signs of offering the 28-year-old a new contract as the count-down to the summer starts in earnest.

But the former Newcastle wide-man was brought back into the fold for his first Premiership start since mid-November against Southampton a fortnight ago.

And he looks set to keep his place for the trip to the capital, especially given the current injury worries surrounding Thompson and Duff.

"Tommo had a very good game last time out and he scored the winning goal so we are going to miss him," said Souness.

"But this is a chance for someone else to show what they can do and it's up to them to take it."

Gillespie has only been used fleetingly by Souness since Thompson's arrival from Coventry in August.

His recent appearance against the Saints was only his ninth start of the season in all competitions, seven of which have come in the Premiership.

And the player realises that his chances of being offered a new deal are now diminishing with every passing week.

"I'd love to stay but, in saying that, if I'm not guaranteed first team then I've obviously got to review the situation because I'm 28 now and it's important to play regular first team football at my age," said Gillespie.

"At the minute the ambition at the club is massive, we are going in the right direction, and I wouldn't like to leave.

"But the bottom line is my career has to come first."

Meanwhile, Souness admits tomorrow's match is sure to provide his side with one of the toughest tests they will face this season.

However, Rovers have never lost a game in the Premiership at Stamford Bridge.

"Stats like that are a worry because I'm not big on what's happened in the past," said the Rovers chief.

"But all I can say is we'll be going there trying to pick up another good result on the back of our win over Southampton.

"Chelsea are a very good team these days and Claudio Ranieri appears to have made them more resilient this season.

"In the past, they've tended to come unstuck at places where you wouldn't expect them to but they seem to have sorted that out and I think they'll quality for the Champions League."

It was the Blues who took the honours when they met at Ewood earlier in the season after a late goal from Gianfranco Zola secured a dramatic 3-2 win.

"Zola's had a really good year this year," added Souness.

"In the past, he's been criticised for not scoring enough goals.

"But this season he has scored the goals to go with his wonderful approach play."

Rovers will be boosted by the return of David Dunn who has declared himself fit following calf and hamstring injuries.

But Duff is unlikely figure because Souness would prefer to give him an extra week to fully recover from his hamstring problems.

Thompson is definitely out, however, after undergoing surgery on a knee injury which is likely to keep him sidelined for another five weeks.

And Andy Todd is still absent as he completes his four-match ban.