BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes will step up his search for a new striker amid fears that Paul Dickov could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Dickov suffered a dislocation of his shoulder following an innocuous-looking clash with Titus Bramble during Saturday's excellent 1-0 win at Newcastle.

The Scotland international is set to discover the full extent of the problem when he sees a specialist today.

But Rovers fear the 33-year-old could be ruled out for at least a month, which would be a major setback for the club at a time when they are still in the hunt for honours on three separate fronts.

Even before Dickov's injury at the weekend, Hughes was in the market for a new striker after deciding to let Matt Jansen leave a fortnight ago.

He will now redouble his efforts to get someone in on loan, but the problem is there's a shortage of suitable candidates at this point in the season.

Chairman John Williams said: "It would be nice to bring in another striker but it's difficult because there aren't many around who would fit the bill."

One option could be to recall Paul Gallagher, who has been making a favourable impression with Stoke, where he has spent the season on loan.

Dickov's injury marred what was an otherwise superb afternoon at St James' and it could hardly have come at a worse time with Rovers facing Manchester United in the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Hughes is still hopeful Craig Bellamy will be fit to face United, although the Welshman missed several days' training last week after his hamstring problem flared up again.

Should Bellamy fail to make it then that will leave Shefki Kuqi and David Bentley as Hughes' only two senior strikers.

But Kuqi, who played a big part in the winning goal on Saturday, believes Rovers are still more than capable of beating United, regardless of what team they send out.

"With the performances we are putting in at the moment, we feel as though we can go anywhere and get a result," said Kuqi.

"We are fully confident going into the game and, with it being the second leg of a semi-final, anything is possible.

"We are on a good run now - we haven't lost for eight games - so everyone is buzzing and we feel we are doing well.

"The win at Newcastle was another great result for us and it will only boost our confidence."

As for Saturday's controversial winner, Kuqi is still trying to claim the goal, even though Morten Gamst Pedersen clearly turned his header over the line with his hand in the 74th minute to heap the pressure on Graeme Souness.

He added: "I thought it was a goal and if I hadn't headed it, it wouldn't have gone in the back of the net so I'm claiming it!

"I heard some people saying it was a foul, too, but I didn't think so. I jumped up high and the ball hit my shoulder, but I didn't think I fouled the defender."