BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness could be ready to make a fresh swoop for Derby hitman Dean Sturridge in a bid to beef up his injury-ravaged strikeforce.

Ewood chief Souness had talks with Rams boss Jim Smith about a possible swap deal involving Sturridge and Christian Dailly earlier this week.

And, though initial negotiations broke down, Souness could now resurrect talks after being rocked by the news that Nathan Blake will be out of action for the next two months.

Welsh international striker Blake missed last night's 2-0 win at Wimbledon after undergoing an operation on his Achilles yesterday which could keep him out until Christmas.

And, with James Thomas and Matt Jansen also currently on the injured list, Souness can only call on two fit senior strikers in Egil Ostenstad and Craig Hignett.

A fresh approach for Sturridge may, therefore, provide a solution, either permanently or on loan.

"Jim Smith and Graeme spoke about the possibility of a deal involving Dean and Christian but that's not happening," said Chief Executive John Williams.

"It was an idea in the same vein that he and Walter Smith had a discussion about Mark Hughes.

"It might be resurrected again, I don't know. "But Graeme still wants to bring some fresh faces in and he's not going to be stopping because we've won a game.

"The striking situation is still one that concerns him."

Whether any Sturridge deal goes through or not, Derby could still come in with a straight cash offer for Dailly over the next couple of days.

Rams boss Smith is still keen on re-signing the Scottish international and his need for defensive reinforcements was further heightened by a 4-0 home defeat against Liverpool at the weekend. Meanwhile, Rovers won their first away game since March at Selhurst Park last night.

But their 2-0 victory came at a price after winger Damien Duff damaged a hamstring four minutes after half time.

The Republic of Ireland international was anxiously waiting further news today but initial reports suggest he could be missing for 2-6 weeks. "It's pretty sore at the minute and it's the worst one I've ever done," said Duff.

"I'm struggling to walk at the moment so we'll just have to see how it is today.

"But I felt something go when I was crossing the ball and I knew straight away it had gone."

Despite that blow, Souness was delighted with the way his side bounced back after the disappointments of Sunday's defeat at Fulham.

An own goal from Chris Wilmott followed by a Garry Flitcroft blockbuster on the stroke of half-time ensured Rovers ended a run of five league games without a win.

"I felt we deserved it. The second goal was a special goal and we enjoyed a bit of luck for the first," said Souness.

"But those are things that change games.

"The players were fairly down after Sunday because they felt we should have got something out of it.