EWOOD legend Simon Garner could be back in a Blackburn shirt this summer as Rovers prepare to make their long-awaited debut in the Masters of Britain soccer tournament.

Rovers fans thought the days of seeing Garner don the famous blue and white halves were a thing of the past.

But Rovers' all-time leading league scorer is now ready to come out of retirement -- 10 years since his last game for the club -- by spearheading Rovers' challenge in the PFA-backed tournament set to be screened live on Sky TV.

Garner is one of nine Ewood legends who have registered their interest in representing Rovers in the 32-team tournament.

Organised jointly by the PFA and Masters Football, the competition is for over 35s with some of the biggest names in football north and south of the border set to take part.

The tournament will consist of eight regionalised groups featuring four teams each who will fight it out in a round-robin format at eight different venues across the UK.

And the winners of each one will then go through to the grand final at Manchester's MEN arena on September 8.

As things stand, Rovers will compete in the North West group at the MEN on June 23, together with Manchester United, Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers.

And as well as Garner, former Rovers favourites Simon Barker, Howard Gayle, Bobby Mimms, Jimmy Quinn, Kevin Gallacher, David Hamilton, Derek Fazackerley and Ian Miller are all lined up to play.

"If I get the chance to play then I'd jump at it," said Miller, who currently coaches Rovers' Under 19s.

"From what I've seen of it on TV, they tend to take the whole thing very seriously so we'll all have to do some training if we want to do ourselves justice.

"But if it comes off then it should be a cracking atmosphere and it would be great to see some of the lads again.

"And who knows? With Alan Shearer not playing in the World Cup this summer maybe we could snap him up as a late signing."

A host of top stars from the past have played in Masters Football since it first appeared on our screens in 1998.

Bryan Robson, Glenn Hoddle, Ian Rush and Peter Beardsley have all donned the colours of their former clubs.

And last year's winning Liverpool team also featured such illustrious names as John Barnes, Jan Molby, David Speedie and John Wark.

"We try to make it as competitive as we possibly can," said Paul Allen, a spokesman for the PFA.

"It's been fantastic for us at the PFA because we've been involved right from the outset and it's also great for our members and ex-members to have something like this to compete in, too.

"It's proved hugely popular with fans and I know Sky TV are very happy with the viewing figures it attracts.

"And this year's event promises to be even bigger and better."

The first group, featuring Liverpool, Everton, Aston Villa and Wolves, will take place in Belfast on June 9.

Then group two -- consisting of Nottingham Forest, Derby, Leicester and Coventry -- is scheduled for Nottingham on June 16.

Group three, featuring Rovers, will then go ahead on June 23 in Manchester before the focus switches to Sheffield a week later where Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Leeds and Bradford will contest the battle for Yorkshire supremacy.

Group five in Newcastle will then get underway on July 7 featuring Sunderland, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Southampton.

Then it's on to Glasgow where Rangers and Celtic head a star-studded Scottish cast which also includes Hibs and Hearts.

Finally, the group stages will conclude in London on the weekend of July 20/21 where Arsenal, Spurs, Millwall and Ipswich will all contest group 7 swiftly followed the day after by the group eight clashes between Charlton, West Ham, Chelsea and Fulham.

Each team is allowed to select a squad of 10 players for the six-a-side tournament and matches will consist of two eight-minute halves.