BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness was today sweating on the fitness of Matt Jansen after his star striker was stretchered off against Newcastle on Saturday.

Jansen collapsed in agony after going over on his ankle in the 25th minute at St James's.

And he was due to have a scan on the injury today to determine just how long he could be out for.

However, Rovers fear that Jansen will be out for at least four weeks which means he now faces the prospect of missing a host of key Premiership games over Christmas, as well as the first leg of the Worthington Cup semi-final.

"Matt has twisted his ankle," said manager Graeme Souness.

"He got nudged as he went up for the cross and he then twisted it when he came down.

"But he's a young man, he's got young ankle joints, and we're hoping it's not too bad."

With Rovers facing a hectic schedule of four games in 11 games over Christmas, Souness will step up his efforts to bring in extra fire power.

He was already in the market for another striker before Saturday's clash and will now intensify those efforts with Mark Hughes, Ciccio Grabbi and Egil Ostenstad the only senior strikers on the books.