INJURY-plagued Paul Warhurst could face another lengthy lay-off, after suffering hamstring trouble in Blackburn Rovers' home defeat at the hands of Leeds United.

Rovers boss Ray Harford, expected in Italy this weekend to continue his search for a new striker, has already ruled Warhurst out of his plans for Monday's Sky TV game against Derby at Ewood.

And that means an early end to the player's hopes of making an impact in a position he filled with spectacular success for a time at Sheffield Wednesday.

Warhurst has had a succession of injury problems since joining Rovers in a £2.7 million move almost three years ago.

Two broken legs, the first after only a handful of matches, have been by far the worst of his troubles but he has also had a number of niggling injuries such as this latest hamstring strain. When Rovers signed him, they envisaged a role in the centre of midfield for a player who had fought his way to the brink of playing for England.

A genuine utility man, he has filled various positions but recent events offered him the chance to stake a permanent claim for a striking job at the club.

He managed to score the team's first goal of the new season at Manchester United, in his second game up front, but must now face even more treatment before he can continue his bid to establish himself at Ewood. Meanwhile, Rovers will be spreading their scouting net far and wide again this weekend.

Two of the players most linked with a possible move to Ewood, German international Oliver Bierhoff, of Udinese, and Inter Milan's Marco Branca, are expected to line up on opposite sides in Udine.

Branca scored a couple of goals against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly, while Bierhoff, who got both goals for Germany in the European Championship final at Wembley in June, hit the international target again in midweek.

He scored Germany's first goal in a 2-0 victory in Poland, Jurgen Klinsmann getting the other.

FORMER Rovers midfielder Wayne Burnett has moved from Bolton Wanderers to Huddersfield Town on a month's loan, with a view to a possible £100,000 transfer.

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