ITALIAN goal-ace Corrado Grabbi was today given the all-clear to make his debut against German part-timers Crailsheim tonight as Rovers kick-off the second leg of their pre-season tour.

The £6.75 million signing from Ternana had to sit out Rovers' 12-0 demolition of Austrian outfit Abtenau on Monday night after suffering a foot injury in training over the weekend.

But manager Graeme Souness today confirmed he's ready to let the 25-year-old off the leash at Crailsheim's tiny Schoneburg Stadion, although he's yet to decide whether or not he will start or be introduced from the bench.

"Grabbi's injury has responded to treatment and he will play a part tonight which is good news for everyone concerned," said Souness.

"So far, we've only seen him in training so this is our first chance to see him in competitive action, although again the standard won't be great but they should be better than the side we played on Monday night.

"I'm undecided as to whether or not he will start but he'll definitely be involved at some point.

"And I'm sure he's someone who will excite our supporters and I hope he bags lots of goals for us."

Souness also hopes to welcome back Marcus Bent, John Curtis, and Damien Johnson after the trio also missed Monday's game in Austria.

But Alan Mahon is still troubled by an Achilles problem and may have to wait until Friday's game against Plauen now for his first taste of pre-season action.

The anticipated introduction of Grabbi, however, is the news all Rovers fans have been waiting for following his big money move from Italy's Serie B.

And the former Juventus striker can't wait to kick-off his Ewood career after having to sit patiently through Monday's goal-blitz against Abtenau.

"I just can't wait to get started now," said Grabbi. "When I arrived at the club two weeks ago everything was going well and I had no problems with all the running and fitness work.

"But then my foot started hurting once we began to use the balls and I've felt some pain ever since.

"However, both the club doctor and David, the physio, have been very good with me, working on it morning, afternoon and night.

"And it's very important to me that I arrive in the Premier League in good health.

"So of course I'd love to play tonight but the most important job for me is that I arrive back in England fit and ready for the new season.

"I've found no problems in settling in so far. Both the coaching staff and the players have made me feel very welcome and now I just can't wait to start playing in England."

Souness is likely to ring the changes for what is the first of two games in three days, with the likes of Matt Jansen -- who scored four times in Monday night's 12-0 win -- probably starting on the bench.

And the Rovers boss is hoping for a sterner examination than Rovers encounter against Abtenau as he looks to move his side's preparations up a gear.

"This should be a tougher game for us than the one in Austria while Friday night's should be even tougher still," said Souness.

"But, as I keep saying, it's good enough for what we want at this stage as we prepare for next week's friendlies against Port Vale and Wrexham."