ROVERS winger Keith Gillespie will complete his journey back from football's abyss when he steps out at Ewood tonight to face his old club Manchester United.

Barely six months ago, the Northern Ireland international seemed to be heading for the wilderness after being told he could leave Ewood on a free.

But a subsequent loan spell at Second Division outfit Wigan Athletic then acted as a major reality check for a player who had lost his way.

And now, after winning over manager Graeme Souness, he's ready to complete that recovery by announcing his arrival back on the big stage against the champions.

"It's been an amazing turnaround since last season and I'm just grateful to the manager for giving me that chance," said Gillespie.

"There was a time when I thought my Blackburn career was over and if I was ever going to play first team football again then it was going to be away from here.

"So it was a difficult time for me because it's hard when you come in every day and there's no real motivation there because you're training with the reserves.

"But, though being told you're not wanted isn't nice, it did perhaps give me that kick up the backside I needed.

"No disrespect to Wigan, but it was a bit of a culture shock going down there from here.

"But it got me the games I needed at that time and I was able to keep my fitness and within six weeks I was back in the manager's plans so it was good for me."

Now those dark days seem a distant memory as Gillespie prepares for one of the biggest games of the season.

And, after returning to something approaching his best form during pre-season, he's relishing the chance to turn on the style against his former employers.

"When the fixtures come out I think most players tend to look to see when they're playing against their old clubs and I'm sure Henning, John and Sparky were all the same as well," said Gillespie.

"So it's great that it's our first home game this season because the fans will be up for it, it should be a full house and we're looking to go out and get our first points of the season on the board.

"Everything here is geared towards the Premiership, this club is a massive club, and we feel we can hold our own against the top boys.

"But the only way of proving what sort of club you are is by playing those sorts of teams week in, week out.

"And we've got the chance tonight to show people what can do."

Had his career followed a slighty different path, however, Gillespie could have been lining up in the Red of United tonight instead.

But the 26-year-old insists he never thinks about what might have happened if he hadn't agreed to quit Old Trafford for Newcastle seven years ago.

"When I left United I went to another big club and had four great years at Newcastle so I don't really look back and think 'what if?'

"If I'd stayed there anyway I would have ended up fighting with David Beckham for a right wing spot so I probably did the right thing."