BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness will step up his bid to sign a striker after learning that Matt Jansen will miss the start of the season.

England hit-man Jansen is still suffering from the effects of a motorbike accident he was involved in during a holiday in Rome earlier this summer.

And Souness has admitted he is not sure exactly when the 24-year-old will be fit to return after being advised by Rovers' medical staff not to risk the former Crystal Palace for another month at least -- a situation which leaves him short of fire-power ahead of the big kick-off.

"Matt will miss the start of the season because of his accident," revealed Souness.

"He was involved in a crash on holiday and picked up a bang on his head and we've been told not to risk him at least until the end of August.

"So that's a blow that we could have done without but when you are sailing along very smoothly you tend to get kicked where it hurts and that's what has happened to us with Matt."

News of Jansen's injury means Rovers must now intensify their search for a new striker with the start of the season less than a month away and Manchester United's Dwight Yorke remains the number one target.

Yorke remains the name at the top of Souness's wish-list, although the two clubs are still some way apart in their valuation of the Trinidad and Tobago international.

As I understand it, Rovers have been back in contact with the United in the last few days but the Reds are still demanding £4 million for the 31-year-old with Souness only prepared to cough up a maximum of £3 million.

However, the longer the summer wears on, the greater the pressure will become on United to sell.

Yorke is now in the final year of his contract and, if the Reds fail to off-load him before the new transfer system kicks in on August 31, then they run the risk of losing him for nothing.

As a result, Sir Alex Ferguson may be forced to cut his loses and, with Rovers the only real contenders for his signature, they may be able to wrap up a deal in the not-too-distant future.

"It's no secret that we've had a go for certain players and we'll have another go at some point between now and the deadline," said Souness.

"But if it's not to be, then it's not to be.

"We are not going to pay over the odds for anyone. We'll only pay what we feel is a proper price.

"We have made an offer for Dwight Yorke and Manchester United's valuation of him and our valuation are currently a wee bit apart.

"I would like to sign Dwight but I won't pay what I regard as too much for him -- particularly given the fact that his contract is up at the end of the season."

As for Jansen, it could be some weeks before Rovers fans see him in action again because the club's medical staff are insisting on taking every precaution after the player suffered such a serious blow to the head.

Last season's 16-goal top scorer spent eight days under observation in an Italian hospital immediately after the accident.

And, although he appears to have no lasting side-effects, Rovers will not take any chances with his health until they are absolutely certain it's safe for him to make a return to competitive action.