PAUL Lambert believes star striker Jordan Rhodes will be stronger for the second longest barren spell of his Blackburn Rovers career.

And the Rovers boss has confirmed there have been no fresh moves for his leading marksman despite reports suggesting summer suitors Middlesbrough are coming back in with a bid.

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After a flying start to Lambert’s reign the goals have dried up for Rovers and Rhodes who has not netted in his last seven matches.

But his manager is certain the nine-goal frontman, whose longest run without scoring during his prolific Ewood Park career is nine games, will soon be hitting the net again.

Lambert said: “I haven’t heard a thing about Jordan going anywhere or him being unhappy. He’s a great lad and he’ll go through spells like this.

“It won’t be the only spell in his career that he’ll go through like this. This will make him stronger and we have to try and get him back scoring.

“And, once he does, I’m sure he’ll continue. That’s Jordan all over.

“But that’s why I want to get him some help as well. We have to get a team around him as well.

“To have that success we have to get the team to perform as well as individuals.”

Lambert, whose side will look to end their four-match run without a goal and a win at home to QPR tomorrow night, is determined to bring another forward in this month.

But Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has told the Scot he will have to wait if he wants to sign one of his top targets.

Danny Graham played the full 90 minutes as Sunderland kick-started a run of three away games in eight days with a 3-1 FA Cup third-round defeat at holders and Premier League rivals Arsenal on Saturday.

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And whether Graham stays or goes could also depend on the future of his fellow Black Cats frontman Steven Fletcher who is also believed to be attracting interest from elsewhere.

Before the Arsenal encounter, former Rovers boss Allardyce said of Graham, whose contract expires in the summer: “We’ll wait until after this week coming up before we let players go.

“There have been lots of enquiries, from a few Championship clubs for Danny and others.

“But Danny is needed. Since I’ve been here, he’s trained hard, always wanted to try his best, and hasn’t got too frustrated about not getting his chance.

“He’ll certainly be used over this week, but after that, we may let him go and think a move is okay for him.”

Rovers’ FA Cup third-round tie away to League Two Newport County on Saturday was postponed an hour before kick-off because of a waterlogged pitch.

County share their Rodney Parade ground with Newport Rugby Football Club and Newport Gwent Dragons.

Both rugby union sides are due to play at home before Rovers return to south Wales for the rearranged match, a date for which will be announced soon.

Rovers and Newport will be ball number 11 in tonight’s fourth-round draw, which will be live on The One Show on BBC One at 7.15pm.

Meanwhile, Rovers’ rearranged Championship game at home to Middlesbrough will definitely take place on Tuesday, March 1 (7.45pm).