THE safest bet in terms of Rovers at the start of the season appeared to be that they would score a hatful of goals.

With Dwight Yorke joining Andy Cole, Matt Jansen, Damien Duff, Egil Ostenstad and Ciccio Grabbi, the potency potential was great.

They certainly found the net in good style at the weekend when they went nap against Newcastle but, ironically, not one of that striking six found the net.

Just imagine what could happen when they do!

It has been a frustrating first couple of months for manager Graeme Souness because he has suffered, and is still suffering with, injuries to his front men.

Jansen is easing his way back into action after his crash in Rome almost ruined his career.

Yorke and Cole have both struggled with injuries and Duff is still ruled out with the second problem picked up, frustratingly, while on international duty.

To be honest, most Rovers fans would have given you long odds on Egil Ostenstad ever starting another game for the club, except perhaps in the early rounds of the Worthington Cup, but he has proved himself a valuable member of the squad in recent weeks.

But now is coming to crunch time for the boss as he is close to having all his players at his disposal and what great timing too. A trip to Highbury is a daunting prospect, arguably even more so given the fact the Gunners will be smarting from the defeat inflicted by a striker who has only just swapped short pants for first team shorts.

On the subject of Wayne Rooney, it struck me as a nice piece of synergy that he should get a landmark goal for Everton the same day Alan Shearer reached yet another of his many milestones.

The excitement among the Toffees was like the reaction of Rovers fans when Shearer got his double on his debut at Selhurst Park.

What is certain is the best sides have plenty of options up front and Manchester United are suffering this season from an over reliance on Ruud van Nistelrooy.

No one would blame United fans for looking at Ewood Park and wondering whether they would rather have Yorke or Cole instead of Diego Forlan!