THE January sales have already started and I'm sure Mark Hughes has his eye on at least a couple of bargains.

This is the time of year when the Rovers manager really proves his worth and he has shown time and again that he is at his best while wheeling and dealing in the January transfer window.

Ryan Nelsen, Chris Samba, Stephen Warnock, David Bentley, Robbie Savage and David Dunn; All players acquired at the half-way stage of the season.

It's not a bad list and it makes impressive reading.

What Mark has got to do now is add to that formidable bunch. And I think he might need two or three new faces arriving at Ewood Park next month.

I don't know who will be staying and if anyone will be leaving, but there are a few positions still giving me headaches and cause for concern.

Brett Emerton has always done a good job at right-back, but I'd like to see a natural in that position and I think that's what everyone was screaming for in the summer. Andre Ooijer has also done well when he's been drafted into that role, but again, that's not his preferred position.

A right-sided Warnock would do just fine!

I also think Rovers need another midfielder. At the start of the season, the line-up in the middle of the park was impressive, with the choice of Morten Pedersen, David Bentley, David Dunn, Robbie Savage, Aaron Mokoena, Tugay and Sergio Peter, and Steven Reid ready to return from injury.

But unfortunately there's only one Tugay, and only one player of his type in the midfield, someone who can unlock doors and create a piece of magic. There are plenty of battlers and ball winners in there, I think we're just lacking a bit of flair.

Up front is also a worry, with the stuttering form this season of Benni McCarthy and evident unhappiness of Jason Roberts.

Rovers need another frontman to help share the load with Roque Santa Cruz.

If Mark can sort all that out, then I'm sure we'll all have a very happy new year!