BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today revealed James Thomas still has a big future at Ewood -- despite the fact he has joined Sheffield United on loan.

Welsh Under 21 international Thomas has linked up with the Blades until the end of the season as part of the package which has brought Marcus Bent to Ewood.

But Souness insists he has not given up on the 21-year-old hot-shot.

And he believes Rovers could yet get the best of both worlds with Thomas coming back a better player at the end of his spell.

"I want to make it clear that we certainly haven't given up on James Thomas," said Souness.

"If everything works out then James will go to Sheffield, he will hopefully be playing regular first team football, and we'll be monitoring his situation very closely.

"I still feel he's a young man with a big future but, at the end of the day, it's better for him to get the chance of playing first team football over there rather than being on the fringes here.

"Like Ben Burgess's move to Australia, this is an important part of his development.

"Marcus Bent is perhaps a bit ahead of him at the minute in terms of development.

"But that's because he's played more first team football."

Bent completed his move this morning after putting pen to paper on a three-and-a-half year contract.

Rovers will pay an initial fee of £1.35 million which will rise to £2,050,000 depending on appearances and promotion. And Souness believes that could turn out to reprsent real value for money if the 22-year-old goes on to fulfill his potential.

"When a new player comes into a club it gives everyone a boost including the manager," said Souness.

"He's only a young man and a lot of people have looked at him and seen things that they like in him over the last few years.

"We feel that the money we've paid for him could represent great value for money.

"I think he's got pace, he's got aggression, and he's going to give us something we haven't already got at this club which is real aerial power.

"And, with the kind of training he's going to get here, I believe that will make him a better player.

"He's got a good goalscoring record in this league and I think, with all due respect to where he's been in the past, when he comes to Blackburn Rovers, he'll be playing with better players than he has ever done before."

Blades boss Neil Warnock is sorry to see him go but felt it was too good a deal to turn down.

Thomas's part in the deal was crucial and Warnock has big plans for the striker. "James is a player I have liked the look of for some time.

"He is my type of player and I'm sure that he'll relish the challenge of coming here and trying to get a regular place."

Meanwhile, Damien Duff returns to the Rovers squad for tomorrow's clash against Gillingham.

And Souness has revealed he will play a part.

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Short, Berg, Flitcroft, Dunn, Johnson, Hignett, Hughes, Jansen, McAteer, Carsley, Dailly, Ostenstad, Duff, Kenna, Bent, Filan.

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler will again be without star striker Carl Asaba who is still sidelined by calf and hamstring problems.

Ty Gooden and Guy Butters are also non-starters with hamstring trouble.

Gillingham will choose from: Bartram, Patterson, Smith, Ashby, Hessenthaler, Pennock, Hope, Thomson, Onuora, Shaw, Southall, Browning, Saunders, King, Lewis.