NEWS of Robbie Fowler's impending move to Leeds won't just be greeted with disappointment on the streets of Liverpool today.

It's a fair bet the majority of Blackburn will be in mourning, too, as they dream about what might have been.

Following the sale of Marcus Bent to Ipswich and the probable return of Ciccio Grabbi to Italy, Rovers are crying out for extra fire-power up front.

And there's no doubt about it, the England international would have fitted the bill had Graeme Souness managed to persuade him his future lay at Ewood.

So with Fowler now out of the equation, just where do Rovers turn next?

Studying the rest of the Premiership, there doesn't appear to be many obvious candidates who might be readily available.

Strikers -- as we all know -- are like gold dust and no manager in their right mind is going to allow anyone who is any good to go without a fight -- unless you are Gerard Houllier that is!

But, ironically, Fowler's move to Elland Road could yet turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

Leeds boss David O'Leary hinted at the weekend that he's running out of patience with Alan Smith following his spat with Aston Villa defender Alpay.

And now his long-time target Fowler is in place, could he be ready to let his other England international go?

Smith would certainly fit all the criteria Rovers are looking for in terms of the fact he's a young man with a proven track record in the Premiership.

And, as something of a target man, I believe he would act as the perfect foil to Ewood goal-ace Matt Jansen up front.

In Damien Duff and Keith Gillespie, Rovers already possess two of the most dangerous wingers in the Premiership.

So just imagine a quality target man to get on the end of their plethora of crosses?

Whether O'Leary would sell or not at present appears highly unlikely.

But weren't people saying that about Liverpool and Fowler 12 months ago and look what's happened since!

For the time being, however, Rovers fans shouldn't panic.

In all his time at Ewood, Graeme Souness has shown he is one of the shrewdest managers around when it comes to dealing in the transfer market.

He is well aware that Rovers could be challenging for Europe if he can find the right partner for Jansen.

And he will leave no stone unturned in his quest to find the right solution at the right price for the club -- whether that's Smith, Hakan Sukur, Bobby Zamora or Shefki Kuqi.