SPANISH striker Yordi Gonzalez can boost his chances of a permanent move to Ewood in the summer as he attempts to fill the boots of Andy Cole over the next three weeks.

The on-loan hit-man -- signed on a short-term deal from Real Zaragoza recently -- looks set to spearhead Rovers' attack against Leeds United at Elland Road tomorrow as Cole starts a three-match ban.

And manager Graeme Souness has indicated he will make a decision on whether or not to sign him permanently based on how he performs in Cole's absence.

"With Yordi he's now got an opportunity to show what he can do," said Souness.

"We've got three games now that we have to play without Andy Cole and barring injury, I would imagine Yordi's going to start all three of them.

"Yordi is far from being match-fit. He's had three appearances as a substitute in the last half hour of games and on Wednesday night he started his first game.

"So this is a chance for him to get an extended run in the side."

Despite Yordi's lack of match fitness, due to his inactivity with Zaragoza before moving to England, Souness feels he gives Rovers a new dimension going forward.

"I would think that Yordi would be an easy player to play with," he said.

"He's a fairly straight forward centre-forward, uncomplicated, he wants to hold the ball up and he likes to bring other players into the game.

"If we can put the ball into the box, he will compete for it and if we are alive to what comes from that we might get some goals."

Yordi looks set to partner leading scorer Matt Jansen, who has recovered from a stomach bug, as Rovers aim to maintain their mini-revival.

Seven points from their last three games has seen them climb out of the bottom three for the first time since February 9, but Souness insists his players cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal as they enter the final quarter of the season.

"The last two home wins have been big games for us and I'm delighted to have taken the points we needed," said the Rovers boss.

"But you get nothing for looking back and it's about what you do in your next game.

"Our next game is against a team who have the potential to be in the top three or four sides in the country.

"Leeds have not been going that well of late by their own standards, but they will still see themselves as capable of getting into the top four, which would qualify them for the Champions League.

"Hopefully they will continue not to be themselves and we will play well on the day. If that happens we have a chance of getting something."

United have had problems on the disciplinary front this season leading some critics to suggest they are 'dirty.'

But Souness is hoping for a physical encounter tomorrow because he believes that will fire up his own players to perform.

"I hope we get a physical one because I feel we respond to that," said Souness.

"Leeds enjoy that side of the game and some people call them dirty.

"I prefer to call them competitive and the modern game is all about being competitive. Sometimes you will maybe overstep the mark, but that's the risk you run and I've got no complaints about that."

Apart from Cole being absent, Craig Short will also complete his five match ban tomorrow but David Dunn is fit to continue after taking a whack on his ribs in midweek.

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Neill, Hakan, Berg, Johansson, Flitcroft, Tugay, Dunn, Duff, Jansen, Yordi, Gillespie, Hughes, Taylor, Bjornebye, Hignett, Mahon, Miller.

Meanwhile, Leeds are without centre-back Dominic Matteo who serves a one-game ban following his dismissal for two bookable

offences in the recent draw at Everton.

But Jonathan Woodgate returns after a near seven-week lay-off with a hamstring injury.

Danny Mills also returns at right-back after completing a six-game domestic ban, but Lee Bowyer remains sidelined with two more games to serve of his own six-match suspension.