BLACKBURN Rovers are still cautious about a move for Italian striker Christian Vieri - even though it has been confirmed that the 35-year-old has now linked up with their pre-season training camp in Austria.

Sources close to both Rovers and the player had last week suggested that Vieri had not been invited to Austria for a trial, but Allardyce has since taken up the option to assess the fitness of the former Milan, Inter, Juventus and Atletico Madrid hit man during the next few days.

Vieri is without a club after being released by Atalanta and, although he has never played in the Premier League, speaks fluent English after spending much of his childhood in Australia.

But Rovers still need to be convinced that the experienced former Italian international, whose status is likely to command a sizeable wage, remains capable of making an impact at the highest level.

It is understood that, contrary to reports, Rovers are not chasing ex-Newcastle forward Mark Viduka as they continue to look at a number of strikers.

With a couple of British-based targets likely to be difficult to acquire, Rovers are currently concentrating their efforts on the foreign market as they attempt to bring in a top quality replacement for the departed Roque Santa Cruz.