Stockport County v Blackburn Rovers preview

WHEN Stockport's First Division destiny is ultimately decided next month it's a fair bet most of their battle-weary squad will disappear into the sunset for some much-needed rest and recuperation.

But don't expect to see Shefki Kuqi lording it up in some far-flung holiday haven because the Finnish striker is planning to swap golden beaches for rubble-strewn streets in war-torn Kosovo.

The Yugoslav-born striker fled his native homeland for an adopted new home in Finland 14 years ago as the warring factions intensified their fighting.

And now 26, Kuqi still prefers to visit family and friends in the bomb-blitzed country, rather than live it up in the footballing playgrounds of the Mediterranean like the rest of his team-mates.

"There was much fighting when I left," said Kuqi.

"I don't like speaking about it too much because it still hurts.

"We left because my brother was going into the army.

"We are a very big family and I still have many uncles in Kosovo and want to go back every year to see my family on holiday, but not to live.

"Conditions there now are very bad and although I know my family would love me to go back, to do that at the moment would not be good."

The striker is now busy making a new life for himself in the North West after joining Stockport in a £300,000 deal from FC Jokerit earlier this year. County manager Andy Kilner stepped in to pluck the fiery frontman from under the noses of fellow First Division rivals Tranmere Rovers and Wolves back in January.

And it's looked a shrewd bit of business so far with the Yugoslav having responded with five goals in his last four games to breathe new life into Stockport's relegation battle.

However, his success in England has come as no surprise to the man who made it all possible.

"I knew Shefki needed 10 games to settle in, but I was confident he would end up with six to seven goals by the end of the season," said Kilner.

"I have never seen a forward who works as hard as he does -- he just loves scoring goals."

Voted Finland's Footballer of the Year last year, he found the target 19 times last term to top the scoring charts as Jokerit finished second.

But now he is hoping to take that goalscoring form onto the international stage after taking the decision to step up a level.

"My goal is to be in the first 11 at national level and I couldn't do that playing in Finland," said Kuqi, who appeared as a substitute against England at Anfield last month.

"I think I have a better chance of that by being in England."

In the meantime, he is fully focused on the job of firing the goals to save Stockport from the drop before returning home in the summer.

"When I finished playing in Finland last season I went home for the first time in years for a two-week break," said Kuqi.

"It was a great holiday and it was very difficult when I had to leave again.

"What has happened over the last two or three years to my country is very sad, and now I'm worried that things are going to get worse.

"I have seen some things on TV that didn't look good and I am very concerned."