MARTIN Dahlin has vowed to play his part as Blackburn Rovers look to step up their title push.
And he has a message for Ewood fans: You haven't seen the best of me yet.
The Swedish international, now finding his feet again after the worst injury spell of his career, is back in Roy Hodgson's squad and determined to help Rovers' bid to claim some reward for their remarkable revival.
But he has had to battle through the pain barrier to reach his present position where he is almost back to the fitness standard he needs.
Calf and back injuries have been the problem, with the latter the biggest hindrance.
"I feel a lot better but I am not 100 per cent fit yet," said the striker, who showed some of his finishing qualities for the reserves in midweek.
"But I can move and turn without pain and that's almost for the first time this season.
"So I am happy about that.
"I have been injured for four months and I have never been out for so long in my whole life before.
"And I have not just had the problem since the Chelsea game (his last senior start).
"I felt it for such a long time before that but I tried to keep on playing and training.
"But it was taking me too long to get fit again after a game." Dahlin was expected to be a big hit in the Premiership, after joining Rovers from Roma for £1.6 million in summer.
As things have turned out, the outstanding partnership of Chris Sutton and Kevin Gallacher would probably have meant his chances would have been limited, even without the injury problems.
The Swede, however, still firmly believes that his time will come. For, having played for big clubs before, he knows the importance of having top-class back-up as well as competition for places.
And he is eager not only to show Rovers fans the real Martin Dahlin but also to end the season on a high.
"I hope so and I am getting fitter and fitter.
"I am almost there now," he said.
"And a good team at the top of the League needs three or four good strikers.
"I feel I have played my best in only two games so far, that's against Preston and Leeds United.
"They are the only two games I have really shown what I can do."
Dahlin has started only seven games so far and made five appearances as a substitute - with four goals to his credit.
He went on against Tottenham last Saturday for his first taste of senior action since October 15. Hodgson will welcome his return to a Rovers squad that, even with the addition of Callum Davidson, is still small compared to many of their Premiership rivals.
The manager was also boosted by the recoveries of both Tim Flowers (rib injury) and Kevin Gallacher (pelvic starin) which enabled them to join the squad for today's FA Cup tie against West Ham at Upton Park.
His only remaining injury doubt was winger Stuart Ripley, who faced a late fitness test this afternoon.
Meanwhile, as we reported in later editions of last night's Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Hodgson shrugged off reports that Rovers had been singled out last season for a cut-price £5 million deal for Marcelo Salas.
Indeed, he revealed that Inter Milan - where he was in charge at the time - knew of the Chile striker's availability and had looked at him.
"People should remember that the same videos and faxes which come to Blackburn go to every club," he said.
"And it is easy to say a player is available for £5m but when you start talking to a club it could be £10m or whatever, who knows?"
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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