BLACKBURN winger Damien Duff today delivered the news all Rovers fans wanted to hear by declaring himself fit and ready for Thursday's UEFA Cup showdown with Celtic.

Duff returned to training yesterday for the first time since he suffered a hamstring injury in the Republic of Ireland's defeat against Switzerland a fortnight ago.

And, after coming through that session unscathed, Duff is now desperate to play some part at Parkhead as he plots the downfall of the team he has supported since childhood.

"I trained for the first time yesterday and everything felt fine so hopefully I can be involved in some capacity on Thursday, although I probably won't get back in the squad after Saturday's result," said the Rovers winger.

"From the moment I first got injured it was always in my mind to try and get back in time for this one because this is a huge game and I'm desperate to play in it.

"Now it's down to the gaffer as to whether I'll be involved or not but I feel fit and ready if needed.

"I know my hamstrings inside out now because I've suffered from this type of injury before so when I first did this one I knew it wasn't a bad one."

With Duff back in the frame, Souness will travel to Glasgow with the rare luxury of a virtually full-strength squad to pick from.

That means he faces a selection dilemma with Duff and the fit-again Andy Cole both chomping at the bit to return but he may decide to stay faithful to the starting 11 who won at Highbury on Saturday.

"Damien is coming along nicely and he'll be in the squad -- that's all I'm prepared to say," said Souness.

"Celtic will have to keep guessing about what team I eventually decide to go with because I don't want to give them an advantage, however slight."

Duff will accept whatever decision Souness makes, particularly after Rovers have performed so well in his absence by defeating both Newcastle and Arsenal.

"I didn't see much of Saturday's game. I believe Arsenal had a lot of chances but our team spirit saw us through and it was a fantastic result."

In the meantime, Duff has identified Henrik Larsson as the main threat to Rovers' hopes of progressing through to the third round of the UEFA Cup.

Larsson is a Parkhead legend due to his scoring feats over the last five years and Duff admits to being a member of his fan-club.

"Larsson is the man we'll have to watch," said the 23-year-old.

"When we went up to watch an Old Firm game last season we all bought Larsson shirts for the craic but what he has done at Celtic is unbelievable.

"I know people say that Scottish football isn't up too much and it's easier to score goals up there but you've still got to put the ball in the net and he's done that consistently over the last three years."