KEITH Gillespie could be offered a chance to return to the North East - with the Premiership's surprise packet Sunderland.

Former Newcastle United star Gillespie, who has struggled to regain a first team place with Blackburn Rovers since recovering from long-term injury, is believed to have been considered by Stadium of Light chiefs as a possible target.

And the fact that he has also been missing from training at Brockhall for a couple of days this week, increased speculation that there could be some transfer business imminent.

But Rovers manager Tony Parkes stressed that Gillespie's absence was down to a bout of sickness and he was expected to be involved with the squad for the full build-up to Saturday's game against Swindon Town at Ewood.

Parkes was unaware of any Sunderland interest and it would be something of a surprise if they were to make a move for the man who became Brian Kidd's first signing when he joined Rovers from Newcastle just over a year ago.

But Sunderland boss Peter Reid recently had a major disagreement with first-choice right winger Nicky Summerbee and left him out of the side. And Sunderland are a 'buying club' at the moment.

Co-incidentally, the other member of the North East's 'big three', Middlesbrough, were keen to sign the winger before the move broke down and he eventually joined Rovers.

Gillespie, anxious to put a long injured spell behind him and get back to playing regularly, will be hoping to be included in the squad for Saturday's home game against struggling Swindon.

Although he hasn't started a match since the early weeks of the season, he has been among the substitutes in five of the last six games.

As well as Gillespie, Parkes was also hoping to have striker Matt Jansen and central defender Craig Short back with the squad today so that he could check them out with Saturday in mind.

Jansen scored a long-awaited goal in the FA Cup tie with Newcastle only to damage an ankle and aggravate it in training.

That forced him to sit out last Saturday's morale-sapping defeat at Bolton.

He will be hoping to be in contention again for the Swindon match.

Similarly, if Parkes is contemplating changes after recent defensive disasters, then he might well want to consider Short's claims to a place following surgery.

The former Everton stalwart has had an injury-dogged season and hasn't started a game since November when Rovers drew 0-0 at Crewe.

All three seem likely to be in the squad at this stage.

Meanwhile, Rovers are maintaining their interest in West Bromwich Albion keeper Alan Miller who is still pondering his future.

Albion, battling against relegation, are in something of a dilemma. They could do with keeping Miller for the vital weeks ahead but are also keen to gain some financial compensation for him, as he will be able to leave on a Bosman free in summer after new contract talks broke down.

There was also a suggestion from the Hawthorns today that Miller might want to wait until summer before making a move, to cash in personally because there will not be a fee.

Former Ewood striker Mike Newell is set to help Second Division Blackpool's battle against relegation.

Newell, who has had a player/coach role at Conference club Doncaster Rovers will strengthen Blackpool manager Steve McMahon's growing ex-Everton contingent at Bloomfield Road.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.