Rovers: Bierhoff still the target man

But I believe Klinsmann's international partner in Euro 96 crime Oliver Bierhoff remains a more likely target as Ewood boss Ray Harford continues his efforts to strengthen a squad which stands bottom of the Premiership.

Harford has scoured Europe in recent weeks, looking for the man, or men, who can help revive Rovers after a faltering start.

The club also want to bring someone in as soon as possible, with transfer activity a possibility day by day.

And, as we reported at the weekend, Bierhoff, the German star who plays for Udinese, looks the best bet of the strikers he has closely monitored in Italy. The 28-year-old has a proven goalscoring record and has played at the highest level, underlined by his goals at Wembley in summer's European Championships final.

Rovers have seen him in action for themselves, on more than one occasion, and have had plenty of time to make up their minds.

There was much speculation today that Klinsmann's situation is about to undergo a dramatic change and, judging by his comments, all does not seem well between him and the Bayern coach.

No doubt agents are also around fuelling the rumours.

If he became available and if he wanted to return to England-both scenarios are far from certain-then Rovers would have to give it some thought.

Yet I was told by excellent sources just a few weeks ago that he was not interested in coming back to the Premiership, where he spent one successful season with Spurs. Rovers too were given that response when they were making their Euro-wide inquiries.

That might still be the case.

But there are other factors too.

Is Klinsmann a fading force? His position with Bayern might suggest that. Then there is the player's age. Rovers are looking to build long-term, not short, hence the time taken to bring in another player following Alan Shearer's departure.

They also believe that Chris Sutton is the man to play the "leader's" role in attack and are looking for someone to play alongside him.

Sutton, now back from injury, has responded spectacularly with three goals in three games.

If Klinsmann was offered to them and was prepared to join the Premiership's bottom club, given his comments while at Spurs when he was more pre-occupied with claiming a place in Europe and ultimately left when that was not achieved, Rovers, surely, would look at it.

But I believe they have decided which route to go down and that points to Italy-where they have taken a particular interest in several strikers, including Martin Dahlin, Marco Branca and, notably, Bierhoff. Meanwhile, Sutton seems to be getting sharper with every game, though he is suffering from having missed the pre-season build-up with an ankle injury.

In his three appearances since he was brought back earlier than expected from ankle ligament damage he has turned in some gutsy and good performances.

He has also scored in all three games.

"At the moment, Chris is tired after every game but he is leading the line well and he is a goalscorer too," said Harford after Rovers beat Brentford 2-1 in the Coca-Cola Cup second round first leg at Griffin Park last night.

"We can do much better with him than we did tonight."

With a two-week break in the programme coming up shortly to accommodate the international fixtures, Sutton will have time both to rest his ankle and to put in some proper training sessions which he is missing just now because of the two games a week situation. The manager was also delighted to see Garry Flitcroft open his scoring account since his move from Manchester City towards the end of last season.

Flitcroft had a nightmare opening to his Ewood career -- ironically against Everton -- when he was sent off in the opening minutes.

But last night's goal should give him a boost and Harford said: "He has been carrying a bit of burden with the start he had at the club.

"But he's a good player and the goal will do him the world of good."

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