HOWARD Kendall could be preparing for a transfer swoop on his old club Blackburn Rovers, with Matty Holmes a possible target.

The new Sheffield United manager was impressed by Ewood midfielder Holmes, who produced an outstanding display for Rovers Reserves last night.

Kendall and another ex-Rover Viv Busby, who has linked up with him at Bramall Lane, travelled to Deepdale to watch the game against Notts County - the club who sacked him after only a short time in charge.

And, while he could also have been running the rule over some of the players he had under his wing during his brief stay at Meadow Lane, it would not be easy for Kendall to go back to County, given the bitter circumstances of his departure.

Holmes has not been able to hold down a regular first team spot at Ewood and competition for places has increased significantly since his signing on the eve of the new season.

But the former West Ham man has turned in some excellent performances for the reserves and last night was no exception.

Rovers have not been in a position to release players while they had an interest in the Coca-Cola Cup and still had Champions' League fixtures to fulfil.

But now all their players are eligible for Premiership and FA Cup matches, so there could be one or two men moving on.

Injuries are another factor and there is the hectic festive period coming up.

But manager Ray Harford has bags of cover in the midfield department and could afford to let someone go, perhaps even on loan to enable them to play first team football.

Holmes' first team chances at Ewood look to be very limited at Ewood at the moment.

Kevin Gallacher would also have taken Kendall's eye with his two-goal performance but I doubt that he would be available.

Besides, the Scot is about to start an expected three-match suspension after being sent off in a reserve team fixture last week.

Kendall has already signed Michael Vonk and extended David White's loan as he starts a rebuilding operation at Bramall Lane.

And I understand there are at least three Premiership clubs interested in paying a seven-figure fee for his goalkeeper Alan Kelly.

That might be one way of raising the cash for new signings.

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