MATT Jansen will make his first competitive appearance in six months when Blackburn Rovers kick off their pre-season preparations at Morecambe tomorrow.

The 27-year-old striker has not kicked a ball in anger since Rovers' 1-0 Premiership victory at Portsmouth on January 15, but Rovers boss Mark Hughes last night confirmed that Jansen will be in his 22-man squad for the short trip to Christie Park this weekend.

The former Crystal Palace star took time off from the game at the back end of last season to consider his future as he struggled to nail down a regular starting place at Ewood.

But the popular forward has since signed a new 12 month deal with the club, and now Hughes is ready to give him another chance to prove himself during Rovers' pre-season friendly campaign.

"Matt looks fine," said Hughes.

"He's been back in training for a week now and he's obviously been working hard whilst he's been away as well because, fitness wise, his levels have been good, so he looks in good shape."

Hughes will take a full-strength first team squad to Morecambe for tomorrow's friendly with Jim Harvey's Nationwide Conference hopefuls (kick off 3pm) .

And his plan is to give everyone in the travelling party a run-out at some point, including new signings Craig Bellamy and Shefki Kuqi, who have been lined up for their debuts.

"We've had a week of good work and we've got our first game tomorrow so it's a chance to get a bit of football into the players before we go away to Germany," said Hughes.

"We are at the stage in the season where you are trying to put a little bit of football into as many people as you can.

"We'll have a 22 or 23 man squad and we'll try to get everyone on the pitch at some point."

Robbie Savage may not be risked as he's still recovering from a groin operation, and Brett Emerton, Lucas Neill and Morten Gamst Pedersen have yet to return to training after being given an extra week off as a result of their international commitments over the summer.

Meanwhile, Fulham boss Chris Coleman has angrily accused Rovers of trying to unsettle his leading scorer Andy Cole.

Rovers have repeatedly been linked with a move for the former Manchester United striker and both Mark Hughes and John Williams have admitted that Cole is the kind of player they would be interested in signing.

But Coleman claims that speculation is starting to have an adverse affect on the 33-year-old.

The former Rovers defender stormed: "I've been very disappointed in Blackburn. Their chief executive John Williams said on Sky he was interested in signing Andy Cole, which I thought was way off the mark.

"All he's done is unsettle one of our players, our top scorer from last season.

"I wouldn't let one of our directors say that on TV because it's unsettling and we have not had any contact from Blackburn.

"I just wish they'd shut up and let him get on with his career and playing for Fulham. If they want to put a bid in then we can't stop them but they shouldn't talk about it like that."

Hughes was asked once again yesterday what his stance was on Cole and his response was: "Andy Cole is a proven Premiership striker, but he's signed for another club so I'm not going to discuss specific individuals."

He did, however, hint that Cole remains a summer target - confirming our story from earlier in the week - when he spoke more generally about the prospect of making more signings before the window shuts.

"The window's still open and while it is, opportunities may present themselves so we'll see what we can do.

"If good players become available then we'll try and get them in, but if we don't get anyone else then I won't be too unhappy because I've feel we've got a good squad anyway with the addition of Shefki and Craig."