Rovers duo eager to return

Amoruso has been out for almost five months

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness has indicated that Steven Reid and Lorenzo Amoruso are close to making comebacks.

Reid picked up a hamstring injury in December and Amoruso has been out since October after having a knee operation.

But they have both joined the squad for a training camp in Marbella in the hope of facing Arsenal on 13 March.

"Lorenzo and Steven will be joining in with the rest of the group this week, then we'll see where they are after that," said Souness.

"The Arsenal game may come a touch too early for them but the fact they are back in training again is good news for us because they've both been out for so long."

Souness spent a total of £3.5m on Reid and Amoruso last summer, but they have made just 18 Premiership appearances between them.

"Lorenzo will probably think he's in contention for Arsenal because he won't be keen to play reserve-team football," Souness told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph newspaper.

"But that gives you an indication as to how close he is.

"As for Steven, he has started running now and he looks ready to join in with the rest of the group."

Paul Gallagher stayed behind in Blackburn after picking up a hamstring problem in the 1-1 draw with Southampton, but the injury is not thought to be serious.