Yorke given Rovers lifeline

Yorke has been handed a Rovers lifeline

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness insists out-of-favour striker Dwight Yorke still has an important role to play at Ewood Park.

Yorke looked to be on his way out of the club after falling out with Souness but impressed his boss in the 2-0 friendly win over Stockport.

"I want Dwight to stay, he is a class act," said Souness.

"Dwight and I don't see eye to eye on every aspect of football but he's got something to offer the club."

Souness added: "Stockport fought very hard against us but Dwight and Dominic Matteo were outstanding all night."

Prior to his outing against Stockport, it seemed Yorke's Rovers career was over.

Former Manchester United striker Yorke was left out of Blackburn's pre-season tour of Germany and had been training with the reserves.

Souness, who signed Yorke from Manchester United for £2m two years ago, was involved in a training ground bust-up with the striker in March.

Souness admits Yorke clash

Yorke blamed his manager for the souring in their relationship.

He said: "Souness came over the top of me in a tackle during training. He could have broken my leg.

"I still have the scar on my shin to show what happened. From that moment, I just lost all respect for Souness.

"We have hardly spoken a word since - apart from the occasional 'Good morning' if we pass each other in the corridor."

Nobody wants Yorke and Blackburn are stuck with his wages From Andy Have your say on 606

But Yorke is now fit and apparently ready to compete for a starting position when Rovers begin their campaign against West Brom on 14 August.

He was not on the scoresheet against Stockport, with the goals coming from Lucas Neill and Paul Gallagher - but was influential in many of Rovers best moves.

Australian full-back O'Neill curled a right-footed drive past Stockport keeper Neil Cutler and the Premiership team rarely looked troubled for the rest of the match.

Blackburn's second came after 86 minutes when Dominic Matteo surged through the home defence and crossed for Gallagher.