FORMER Manchester United ace Dwight Yorke could be ready to return to the firing line against his old club on Saturday after recovering from a niggling thigh injury.

Yorke limped out of Rovers' recent 2-1 victory over Everton after aggravating the kicking muscle at the top of his leg.

However, scans later revealed the striker had not suffered any lasting damage and following a week of intensive treatment, he was set to return to training this morning, thus handing manager Graeme Souness a massive boost ahead of the eagerly-awaited clash against the champions.

Rovers were already facing the prospect of having to travel to Old Trafford without leading scorer Andy Cole as the striker is currently serving a three match ban.

So when Yorke and Academy starlet Paul Gallagher then both picked up injuries during the Everton game, Souness was facing a potential striker crisis, especially as fourth-choice frontman Ciccio Grabbi is also struggling with a foot problem.

Thankfully, however, Yorke now looks as though he will be fit to resume his partnership with Matt Jansen up front.

The former Trinidad and Tobago international, who recently celebrated his 32nd birthday, is currently the man in form at Ewood having scored three goals in his last three games.

And Gallagher should also be fit to provide welcome back-up from the bench after a back injury forced him to withdraw from the Scotland Under 21 squad for their European Championship play-off clashes against Croatia -- the second of which is taking place tonight.

Central defender Craig Short could also be ready to play some part against United as he steps up his own comeback from a knee injury.

The veteran stopper has yet to kick a ball for the first team this season but he has been pencilled in for another reserve outing against Sunderland tomorrow at Morecambe's Christie Park.

Meanwhile, David Thompson flew out to the United States last night for a consultation with top specialist Richard Steadman as he looks to get to the bottom of his knee problems.

As we revealed last week, Thompson has been experiencing difficulties with his knee for some time and now the 26-year-old midfielder hopes Steadman can provide a solution.

Thompson is expected to spend most of the week in the States and he has been accompanied on the trip by club doctor Phil Batty.