SPANISH giants Las Palmas are stepping up their attempts to lure Egil Ostenstad away from Ewood.

The injury-hit outfit were knocked back in their efforts to sign the Norwegian international on loan earlier this month.

But Ewood chief executive John Williams today revealed they have tried to resurrect the deal in the last 24 hours.

And Rovers are now prepared to do business with Nathan Blake back in training and ready to make a comeback in the reserves.

"Las Palmas have made a new enquiry about taking Egil on loan with a view to a permanent signing at the end of the season," said Williams.

"That is something we are now thinking about it and Graeme will be discussing it with Egil today."

Ostenstad has made just 11 starts this season with Blake, Matt Jansen, Mark Hughes and Marcus Bent all preferred ahead of him in the pecking order.

But, when he was given a run in the side, it coincided with Rovers' winning seven on the bounce -- a string of results which transformed their season.

Since then, he has provided valuable injury cover on the bench.

But, with Graeme Souness's striking options set to be boosted by the return to fitness of Blake after a three-month injury absence, Rovers have now decided they can afford to let him go.

"It's no secret I've been disappointed with Egil -- that's why I brought Mark Hughes and Marcus Bent," said Souness.

"I know what he's capable of and I know he can do it in the Premiership.

"But I'd be prepared to let him go."

Meanwhile, Souness today described the next month as absolutely vital to his side's hopes of automatic promotion.

Sunday's televised clash with Birmingham at St Andrews is the first of four tough away games against Rovers' fellow promotion contenders.

And Souness believes he will find out what his side is made of over the next five weeks.

"The next month or so is going to decide a great deal about our season," said Souness.

"We've got West Brom, Watford and Bolton all coming up and this next five or six weeks will tell us a great deal.

"It will either decide if we are going to be pushing for one of the automatic spots.

"Or it could decide that we have to try and finish in the top six.

"It's not make or break but this is a vital part of the season for us."

Craig Short is again likely to be absent through injury at St Andrews.

But Damien Johnson was set to start training again today after a back injury has kept him out for the last two months.

"It's been a difficult time for Damien because, at the time he got injured, he was starting to push for a regular starting place," said Souness.

"But he's scheduled to start training again today although, with the ground as hard as it is, we'll have to see because we don't want to aggravate it again."

Rovers have poured cold water on talk of a loan move for Liverpool's Robbie Fowler. Several journalists contacted Rovers about the possibility yesterday after rumours had started to circulate that Souness could be ready to move in for the Anfield striker. But the Ewood chief today said there was no foundation to the stories.