NO news on the transfer front should spell good news for Matt Jansen, with the striker poised for a recall to Blackburn Rovers' starting line-up against Crewe at Ewood on Sunday.

Rovers boss Tony Parkes has stepped up his search for someone to solve the club's scoring problems but it does not look as though he will be able to come up with an answer in time for Sunday's Sky TV clash.

And, with Nathan Blake suspended as well as being injured, that will give the green light to Jansen to end his own personal scoring nightmare.

The £4 million man hasn't notched a First Division goal since last September but he did start in both of Rovers' last two victories against Stockport and West Bromwich Albion.

He also replaced Blake for the second half of Tuesday's goalless draw away to promotion favourites Ipswich Town and brought some much-needed sparkle to the attack.

"He did very well for the side and, hopefully, he can continue in that vein," said Parkes, who was very satisfied with the way Jansen responded to the challenge at Portman Road.

With Blake ruled out on Sunday and Egil Ostenstad seemingly out of favour, a partnership between Ashley Ward and Jansen looks the most likely bet as Rovers search for the goals they desperately need to put them back on the right track. Although it has been confirmed that money is available, and Parkes has said he is looking for either a loan player or a permanent signing, there are no indications of anything imminent in the transfer market.

The club are continually being linked with Bradford City striker Robbie Blake, a one-time target for Brian Kidd prior to the start of the season. But, if they really were keen on Blake, they would surely have moved in for him by now having done all the homework previously.

That looks a non-starter.

There has also been speculation that they are set to move in for Bristol Rovers marksman Jason Roberts.

But that too looks as though it can be discounted.

The hype will undoubtedly increase over the next couple of weeks as the transfer deadline gets closer but Rovers' situation in the First Division table will probably dictate matters more than most things.

They have only 11 League games left to bridge the gap between themselves and the play-off positions.

A couple more bad results and their ambitions could be over before they have made any progress in bringing in a new striker.

Defensively they took a lot of credit from Tuesday's goalless draw and they have no shortage of players challenging for places, despite Jeff Kenna's Achilles injury lingering longer than was first anticipated.

Young Leam Richardson also missed out on a reserve outing because of a knock. Craig Short, however, came through another reserve game last night and is now fully fit after his hernia surgery. But he is still some way from reclaiming a place in the first team.

There is keen competition for places in the centre of defence and, at the moment, Christian Dailly and Marlon Broomes have a firm grip on the two shirts. Darren Peacock has been on the subs bench and that leaves Short and Martin Taylor battling to get back in the senior squad.

Full back David McNamee, who was stretchered off just before half time in last night's reserve game with Liverpool, was suffering from concussion.

McNamee was injured in a clash of heads and had to be checked by the doctor.

A host of scouts and managers - including ex-Celtic boss John Barnes - watched last night's game.

Blackpool's Steve McMahon was also there but speculation that the Seasiders boss wants to take Martin Taylor on loan is wide of the mark.

McMahon borrowed striker Darren Byfield from Aston Villa this week and that was their eighth loan player of the season - the maximum. They could only take another player by making a permanent signing of one of those they have borrowed.

Goalkeeper Anthony Williams has had his loan to Third Division Macclesfield extended to a second month.

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