ENGLAND star Graeme Le Saux could take another giant step on his Blackburn Rovers comeback trail at Nottingham Forest tonight.

And if the Ewood star makes further significant progress in the Pontins League clash at the City Ground, that could pave the way for his return to Ray Harford's squad for the decisive Premiership clash against Arsenal in 10 days time.

Assistant manager Tony Parkes confirmed: "Graeme is making fantastic progress and we are looking to step it up again tonight.

"We've two reserve games in the space of three days now. If Graeme continues to progress then he may come into contention for a squad place, possibly against Arsenal. "We are very optimistic that we will be able to include Graeme in the first team squad plans, sooner rather than later.

"Everything hinges on how he is after the two reserve games. We are just keeping our fingers crossed for him."

The possibility of Le Saux's impending return would be a major boost for under-fire Harford and leave Le Saux to pick up a playing career which appeared in jeopardy when he suffered an horrific ankle injury against Middlesbrough last December.

Le Saux made his comeback against Birmingham City Reserves last month - nine months to the day since being stretchered off at Ewood Park.

But there was a question mark today over striker Kevin Gallacher as he bids to be fit in time for Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Saturday and Estonia a week today.

Gallacher limped off at Coventry with a hamstring strain and he could be a major doubt for Scotland as Craig Brown finalises his plans for the trip to the Baltic states. Parkes added: "Hamstrings are tricky injuries and I would think Kevin may be be struggling for the Scotland game."

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