ROVERS winger Damien Duff is ready to step into the breach as an emergency centre forward in a bid to ease manager Graeme Souness's striking worries.

With Matt Jansen currently out injured, Souness's attacking resources are down to the bare bones with Mark Hughes, Ciccio Grabbi and Egil Ostenstad the only other senior frontmen currently on the books at Ewood.

But Duff knows what it's like to step in as emergency cover up front having performed a similar role for Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy over the last 12 months.

And he's ready to answer the call again at the Valley should it come tomorrow as Rovers begin a demanding run of four games in 11 days over the festive period.

"If the gaffer wants me to play up there then I'm ready to give it a go," said Duff.

"Every time I get called up for the Republic Mick McCarthy seems to play me up front so I know what it's all about.

"And I actually enjoy playing there because you tend to be more involved in the game than when you are out on the wing.

"So whatever the manager wants me to do, I'll just give it my best shot.

"It was a huge blow to lose Matt last week because he's the main man for us up front and he's difficult to replace.

"But I spoke to him yesterday and he hopes to be back quite a bit sooner than expected which would be great news for everyone."

After a run of three straight defeats in the league, Jansen's injury problems could hardly have come at a worse time for Souness and his men as they attempt to put some daylight between themselves and the bottom three.

At present, just six points separates them from the dropzone but with struggling Sunderland and Derby both due at Ewood next week, Duff knows a couple of wins would make the world of difference going into the New Year.

"Tomorrow's game is a huge one for us, really," admitted the Irishman.

"We were all disappointed with last week's result at Newcastle and some of the clubs above us are now starting to pull away.

"But if we can beat Charlton, then that will keep them within striking distance.

"Then we have two home games back-to-back after that and we are more than capable of taking six points from them.

"But we've got to cut out some of the sloppy goals we've been conceding recently if we want to do that.

"I thought we played well against Leeds and Arsenal recently but the two goals we conceded last Saturday were both bad ones from our point of view."

Regardless of the recent slump in form, however, Duff is pleased with the way Rovers have performed generally on their return to the top flight so far.

But confidence can soon evaporate after a run of poor results which is why he has stressed the importance of getting something at The Valley.

"I think we've been doing okay, it's just disappointing we haven't always got the points some of our performances have perhaps deserved.

"So the results over the last couple of weeks have probably got everyone a bit down," said Duff. "All the stuff that's been written in the papers this week about our Christmas party hasn't helped our preparations for tomorrow either.

"But I think we've all just tried to get our heads and concentrate on the job we've got to do at Charlton because we are entering an important part in our season."