MARLON Broomes is a young man with a mission as he prepares for the second phase of Blackburn Rovers' build-up, which was due to begin at Blackpool this afternoon.

The 21-year-old central defender returned to England from Norway with the Rovers squad on Thursday, hoping he had already gone halfway to his goal of persuading Ewood boss Brian Kidd that he is the man for a job when the First Division campaign begins.

Broomes played a full game alongside Darren Peacock against IFK Gothenburg and then an hour in tandem with another of his 'seniors', Christian Dailly, in the win at Lillestrom.

And, on both occasions against two of Scandinavia's leading sides with first-choice attackers, he looked the part.

All he has to do now is to convince the manager to see things his way, but he knows others will be thinking on similar lines.

"In the pre-season games you are still building up your fitness," he said. "But it also means you have a chance and my aim is to make the manager pick me for the first team. This is definitely a big season for me even though we are in the First Division.

"We still have most of the same players here and I want to be a regular in the side."

Broomes accepts that the competition will be tough, even though Stephane Henchoz - a player he partnered in many of his dozen Premiership and cup starts for the senior side last season - took the opportunity of an escape clause in his contract to join Liverpool in summer. Peacock and the fit-again Dailly provide the obvious opposition to his ambitions with teenager Martin Taylor also developing into a contender.

And, hopefully, there could yet be a new arrival if Rovers finally get around to strengthening what will be a crucial area of the squad.

But the shape and personnel of Kidd's starting line-up for that opening Division One game against Port Vale at Ewood in a fortnight's time is still up for grabs.

Broomes, who actually started the final Premiership game of last season at Newcastle, knows that and aims to make the most of his opportunity for an extended run in the side.

"We took a big squad to Norway and I know they are only friendly games but everyone is still under a bit of pressure," he said. "Everyone starts off at the same level and we all have a point to prove.

"Even though they are friendlies, the manager watches them closely, studying people and looking for his first 11. We all start from the same place and there is nothing to say that, just because you finished last season in the side, you will start again this time."

Rovers have yet to buy anyone, let alone another central defender to replace Henchoz in the squad.

Time is starting to run out if it is to happen before the League programme starts on August 7 and targets such as Riccardo Scimeca and David Wetherall have been allowed to move elsewhere.

Kidd has great faith in young players such as Broomes but the manager has also made the point, on several occasions, about the need for experience in the squad. With only two men of that ilk at the moment, Peacock and Dailly, Rovers hardly seem to be well covered.

Ewood Blues Independent Supporters Group are running transport to Oldham for next Tuesday's friendly (£7 per seat). For further details contact: The Aqueduct, Blackburn; or Mark or Alan.

Blackpool have made a further allocation of tickets available for today's friendly to be sold on the East Paddock Turnstiles priced £8 and £4 concessions.

Aberdeen are confident of completing their £550,000 swoop for Sheffield United goalkeeper and Ewood target Alan Kelly on Monday. A Pittodrie spokesman says Kelly has asked to meet Dons manager Ebbe Skovdahl for talks. Kelly will also undergo a medical and if all goes well could make his debut in the friendly against Coventry on Tuesday.

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