ROVERS winger Keith Gillespie is running out of time in a bid to prove his fitness ahead of Saturday's big Premiership showdown with Arsenal at Highbury.

Manager Graeme Souness today revealed he still has not given up on the possibility of the Northern Ireland international making the trip to London with the rest of the team.

But, after missing the last five games with a niggling knee injury, the 26-year-old may have to settle for making his comeback against Leicester on Monday week -- the date pencilled in for Damien Duff's return.

"Keith has an outside chance of being ready this weekend, but I'm currently preparing as if he won't be in contention," said Souness.

"So it's more than likely it could be next week now before him and Duffer are fit to return.

"That's a blow because the pair of them are right up there with Matt Jansen and David Dunn in terms of opening sides up.

"So we can't get them back soon enough."

Duff last appeared for the first team during the 1-0 win over Everton last month.

But his hamstring injury has taken slightly longer to heal than first thought which makes him a non-starter for the Arsenal game.

However, Souness has been boosted by Martin Taylor's return to training and the England Under 21 international could even play for Rovers reserves at Everton next Tuesday.