CHRIS Sutton is back in training and will be ready to take on Liverpool at Ewood on Sunday.
But, in a tale of two strikers for beleaguered Blackburn Rovers, Danish international Dan Petersen has not yet decided whether to travel to England for a trial.
Contrary to reports in today's national newspapers, Rovers are still waiting to hear from Monaco man Petersen who had originally agreed with Ray Harford to spend a short period with the club.
Caretaker-boss Tony Parkes, however, has received a call from the player's representative saying he is having second thoughts.
But at least Parkes has been able to welcome back Sutton, who has missed the last two games with a chest infection.
"Chris trained yesterday and we certainly need him back," said Parkes. "We need his height and strength up there in attack. We know what kind of a job he can do for us. "As for the Danish player, I am waiting to hear if he has had another change of mind.
"It was originally set up by Ray but we would have been quite prepared to carry on the arrangement.
"If he's a good player, then we want to have a look at him.
"The problem if he was to decide to come over later this week is that there's a break for the international fixtures after we have played Liverpool and there are going to be a lot of senior players away from Brockhall."
Petersen, 24, reaches the end of his contract with Monaco at the end of the season and would then be available to move abroad on a free transfer. The French club are thought to be keen to cash in by selling him before that, but Rovers will not be in a position to conduct any major transfer deals until they have appointed a new manager.
Meanwhile, as Parkes concentrates on preparing the players for Sunday's daunting clash with Liverpool (kick-off 3pm), he could also have Kevin Gallacher back in the running.
Gallacher, along with Ian Pearce, picked up a bug at the weekend and missed the game at Upton Park.
Tickets are still on sale for the Liverpool game, which is not being televised. Fans must produce a stub from one of the home matches against Spurs, Derby, Leeds or Arsenal. It is one Liverpool ticket per stub and a maximum of four per application.
Premiership leaders Arsenal have appointed former Rovers boss Don Mackay to their scouting staff.
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