BLACKBURN Rovers are willing to bide their time in their summer striker search in the hope of generating a bigger transfer kitty – but have to continually weigh up the risks of losing out on their current targets.

Sam Allardyce’s limited transfer funds, at the moment believed to be in the region of £2.5million, have left his firepower options restricted but an alternative list of targets does exist should some player sales boost Rovers’ spending power.

Australian midfielder Vince Grella is already closing in on a £2million move to Galatasaray and it is understood Rovers would listen to offers for a couple more ‘fringe’ players to help widen Allardyce’s transfer search.

The Rovers boss had said he was hoping to complete all business before the start of the World Cup but, with the tournament opening on Friday, is resigned to his search to going on for a few weeks yet.

While no offers have been received for anyone except Grella, a couple of departures could loosen the purse strings to the tune of double their transfer pot – paving the way for a ‘bigger name’ striker either with a higher price tag or more expensive wages.

Rovers though are fully aware of the dangers of the waiting game and are facing the tough task of striking the right balance between waiting long enough for the potential of extra quality and not losing out on available targets.

Increased funds would also give Allardyce the option of stepping up his interest in Real Madrid midfielder Guti, who would be available on a free transfer but would demand high wages, but for the moment a striker remains the immediate priority.

Allardyce returned from a holiday at the weekend and is working hard on bolstering his squad but won’t conclude any deals before knowing his final budget.