BLACKBURN skipper Garry Flitcroft believes the arrival of Dwight Yorke has given everyone a lift as Rovers prepare to kick off the new season against Sunderland on Saturday.

When news of Matt Jansen's injury plight first filtered back to Ewood in the summer there was a genuine fear that Rovers would lack fire-power in his absence.

However, Yorke's arrival in a cut-price deal from Manchester United has done much to boost pre-season confidence.

And Flitcroft now believes his partnership with Andy Cole will give the team that vital cutting edge they need if they want to build on the success of the last 12 months.

"Dwight has been a great signing for us," said Flitcroft.

"He's a bubbly character on the training ground, he gets on with all the lads and he wants to do well for both himself and the team after the way things ended at Manchester United.

"I know he had a tough time there and he wants to prove certain people wrong.

"And, looking at him in training, he seems to be very positive about the season ahead."

If Rovers plan to move forward as a club then much will rest on the shoulders of Yorke and Cole.

Last season, the club were deep in relegation trouble when Cole suddenly baled them out of the mire with a vital return of 13 goals in 20 appearances.

And Flitcroft is hopeful the former England star can be even more prolific this term now that he has settled in to life at Ewood.

"It's going to be great to see Coley play a full season for us," said Flitcroft, who will miss the Sunderland game with an ankle injury.

"He's got to be looking to score more than 20 goals this season with the chances he creates and the finishes he has.

"So he's a vital member of the team because he's someone you know will score goals for you and you can't put a price on a 20-goal-a-season man at this level.

"But whoever plays up front with him, whether it's Dwight or Matty, has got to be looking to chip in and help share the burden as well."