BLACKBURN Rovers striker Paul Gallagher is ready to return to the firing line against Portsmouth this weekend - and Lorenzo Amoruso and Steven Reid could join him.

Scotland international Gallagher made his comeback following a three-week lay-off in last night's reserve game against Bolton Wanderers at Lancashire FA headquarters.

And first team coach Dean Saunders revealed the 19-year-old has an excellent chance of featuring in the crucial six-pointer with Pompey on Saturday.

Gallagher looked sharp during the 70 minute run-out in what was his first appearance since tearing a hamstring against Southampton.

Amoruso also stepped up his own comeback plans after knee and calf problems respectively by successfully coming through the game unscathed.

And Steven Reid also has a chance of being in the squad at the weekend, even though he was pulled out of last night's match at the 11th hour.

"Everyone got through the game without any problems," said Saunders.

"Lorenzo and Gally both got the chance to get a game under their belts and it turned out to be a good work-out for them, so they have a chance of being involved on Saturday."

Reid was originally due to play last night after making a swift recovery from the back injury he sustained on his comeback in last week's reserve game with Middlesbrough.

However, the medical staff then had a change of heart and advised the midfielder that he would be better off concentrating on getting a full week's training under his belt with a view to being involved at the weekend.

"The medical staff have been carefully monitoring him," explained Saunders.

"He's had a lot of setbacks with his injury and they felt he could do with another four or five days of training so last night's game came a bit quick for him.

"But he's in with a shout for the weekend. He'll train today and we'll see how he is after that."

If Reid proves his fitness in the next few days then manager Graeme Souness will have the rare luxury of picking from a near full-strength squad ahead of what is arguably the biggest game of Rovers' season so far.

Just four points currently separate the two sides but Rovers can open up a seven point gap if they can win at home for the first time since November 29.

Souness is likely to stick with the same eleven which started against Aston Villa at the weekend but his hand will be strengthened further if Gallagher and Reid are fit enough to take their places on the bench.

In the meantime, Dwight Yorke has played down talk of a move to America this summer.

The striker is reported to be a target for the New York-New Jersey Metrostars but he told me last night: "I don't know anything about it. I keep getting linked with different clubs all the time."