KEVIN Gallacher expects to be fit for Sunday's top-of-the-table clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford which will come as a major relief to Blackburn Rovers supporters.

The striker, whose partnership with Chris Sutton has been one of the main reasons for Rovers' surge back into Premiership contention, has been suffering from tendonitis for some time.

And it kept him out of training earlier this week.

But it's something he can play through and the big date with United is one he wouldn't want to miss.

Rovers, of course, are short on strikers at the moment and are actively searching for re-inforcements.

AIK Stockholm's Pascal Simpson is a potential long-term target, having expressed an interest in moving to the Premiership, but he would not provide cover for the present which is what is needed. Simpson has confirmed that he hopes to travel to Blackburn soon for talks but he is currently ruled out of action, probably until the end of January, following an operation on ankle ligaments.

The 26-year-old, who has been capped twice by Sweden, scored six goals in 24 games for AIK in the season which ended recently.

Simpson's agent Klaes Elefalk has had preliminary talks with Rovers.

Depending on the injury situation, Rovers' main selection decision for Sunday will centre on midfield - and especially the left-hand side.

Damien Duff did well for the reserves last night to ensure that his name remains to the fore and Rovers have no shortage of contenders for the position, including Jason Wilcox. United will be without Paul Scholes, who starts a suspension, but they too have plenty of options and the pressure is now off them in the Champions' League.

They should confirm their progress against Kosice at Old Trafford tonight and once they have qualified for the quarter finals, Alex Ferguson's side can give their full attention to the Premiership.

Victory for Rovers would see them leapfrog United and take them to the top of the table.

But the size of their task is huge and underlined by the confidence oozing from the Old Trafford camp where goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel already believes they are well on course to retain their title yet again.

United have lost only two games so far and Schmeichel said: "We are on course. You can lose six games and win the Premiership.

"We are still top of the league which we are not used to being at this time. By tradition we are always a better team at the other side of Christmas.

"I think it is looking good."

Sunday's game is the start of a trilogy at three different levels. After the Premiership clash, the two clubs meet in the FA Youth Cup at Ewood on Tuesday and the clubs clash in the Pontin's League the following week with Rovers again having home advantage.

A host of clubs attended last night's reserve game at Ewood, including Bury boss Stan Ternent and Port Vale manager John Rudge. Ex-Burnley boss Jimmy Mullen, who has been scouting for Millwall, was also there.

Rovers have already indicated that Chris Coleman is available by agreeing a fee with Fulham who have since signed Alan Neilson from Southampton.

Coleman would probably be out of the price range of those clubs watching at Ewood last night.

But they will have been looking at some of the other players on view as there were several involved, on both sides, who have been unable to make an impression on the first team scene.

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