KEVIN Gallacher, in line for a probable recall at Huddersfield tonight, is taking a realistic view as he faces up to the prospect that he does not have a long-term future with Blackburn Rovers.

But the Scottish international striker, a likely replacement for the doubtful Matt Jansen at the McAlpine Stadium, is mystified by claims that his former club Coventry City want to re-sign him.

Rumours were rife in Coventry last night that Gordon Strachan was looking at Gallacher as a short-term replacement for Darren Huckerby.

But Ewood chief executive John Williams said they had not been in touch and Gallacher himself was also in the dark.

"It's the first I've heard of it but these things do the rounds," said Gallacher, who had to settle for a substitute's role against Port Vale last Saturday. Although he is in the final year of his contract at Ewood, there have not been any approaches from the club about negotiating new terms.

And, given Rovers' general policy, that suggests the striker, who will be 33 in November, is not seen as part of the long-term rebuilding.

"It has surprised me that there haven't been talks," said Gallacher. "But you don't know if the manager wants his own players in.

"They might not want someone of my age and he does have an abundance of strikers.

"I think you have to be realistic about it."

Gallacher, however, will be hoping to start at Huddersfield tonight, whether that means showing Rovers he is still worth a place or to put himself in the shop window.

"It's always disappointing not to play," he said.

"I believe I can do a job. I know I am capable of it and I am very confident in my own ability."

Rovers boss Brian Kidd, who rates Jansen "very doubtful" with a bruised kidney and also has problems over central defender Craig Short (shin injury), will welcome Gallacher's attitude.

"It's good to have a seasoned pro like Kevin available," said Kidd.

"He's come through his trials and tribulations of last season and he also got a good pre-season under his belt."

Christian Dailly would be the obvious stand-by for Short and Jeff Kenna and Keith Gillespie could come into the reckoning after playing in full-scale practice matches.

Rovers are likely to choose from: Filan, Grayson, Short, Broomes, Dailly, Davidson, Kenna, Dunn, Johnson, Gillespie, Carsley, Wilcox, Duff, Davies, Gallacher, Jansen, Kelly.

The wives of the two managers, Margaret Kidd and Janet Bruce will travel together to watch tonight's game, underlining the friendship between the two families.

"Janet invited my wife to the game, which was nice," said Kidd, who has a high regard for his former Old Trafford colleague Steve Bruce.

"I think he's a leader, like Bryan Robson and Roy Keane, and you expect people like him to do well.

"But we are all in the same boat at the beginning of the season, trying to get a good start."

Town boss Bruce said: "I thoroughly enjoyed working with Brian. Training was never dull and he made himself a top-class coach.

"We became quite close over the years."

Bruce has Scott Sellars fit again after sitting out the midweek Worthington Cup win at Scunthorpe with a slight groin strain

He is competing with former Manchester United youngster Ben Thornley.f=helveticas=7f+bf-bo

The 34-year-old has been frozen out at The Dell after failing to sign a new one-year deal.

Bruce believes one glimpse of the McAlpine Stadium will convince Monkou, who will watch tonight's game, to sign what would initially be a three-month contract.

Tickets will be available for Rovers fans at the McAlpine Stadium tonight, price £13 adults, £7 juniors and senior citizens. Kick-off time is 7.45pm.

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