Blackburn Rovers boss Brian Kidd will splash out in the summer transfer market - but is backing the core of his current squad to regain Rovers Premiership status at the first attempt.

Kidd will strive to strengthen Rovers' problem areas, which is likely to mean the arrival of at least one highly proven defender.

"He's identified two target areas and one target. There are two positions he's looking at and for one of those positions there is a name in the frame," confirmed Ewood chief executive John Williams.

And Kidd clearly believes that with those signings in place alongside a fully fit crop of his current players then Rovers, despite the anticipated departure of Chris Sutton, will be good enough to mount a successful promotion challenge.

"The main thrust is that the squad Brian wants to go forward with is very strong, and is essentially the squad that he had last season on paper but not on the pitch," Williams added.

"The more analysis he's done the more options he realises he has open to him.

"He is more than happy with the squad. He just wants some consistency and to get them out to Norway (in pre-season) to do some bonding and work with them. "He's confident he's got the team to come straight back up."

With a defender at the top of his wanted list, Kidd has been linked with moves for Leeds United's David Wetherall and former Liverpool player Steve Harkness, who is set to leave Benfica.

Sources in Portugal suggested that a deal to bring Harkness to Ewood Park was "practically done" but that was refuted by Williams today and a move for the 27-year-old left-sided defender looks highly unlikely.

Neither have Rovers lodged a bid for Wetherall.

Huddersfield have had a £2 million bid for the player accepted by Leeds but Wetherall isn't rushing into anything and his agent Hayden Evans hopes that Rovers may still follow up their initial interest.

"We are hoping that we get the opportunity to talk to Blackburn. We would be more than willing to talk to them," said Evans.

Kidd and the Rovers hierarchy thrashed out their battle plans for next season's promotion assault at a meeting with club owner Jack Walker yesterday. And it's clear that despite relegation, they believe the club remains in a healthy state well equipped to bounce back.

Rovers are anxious not to try and hide last season's failings behind a chronic injury list but if Kidd can get the likes of Garry Flitcroft, Christian Dailly and Billy McKinlay in his side on a regular basis alongside newcomers Ashley Ward, Matt Jansen, Lee Carsley, Jason McAteer and Keith Gillespie then his optimism would appear to be well placed.

"It was a very productive day and Brian and his team have done a lot of work.

"He's got a strong squad really and he's looking forward to getting the squad he's got on paper, but never had on the pitch, together," Williams re-iterated.

Rovers have received no firm enquiries for Chris Sutton or goalkeeper Tim Flowers.

But suggestions that any Sutton transfer will be jeopardised by injury problems are wide of the mark and the bidding for his services is expected to be stepped up later in the summer.

Ray Harford has left Derby by mutual consent after helping close friend Jim Smith out of a hole in mid-season.

Rams boss Smith turned to the former Blackburn manager in February to assist him after first team coach Steve McClaren left to take up a similar position at Manchester United.

A club statement read: "Ray took on the role on a temporary basis and agreed to step in at short notice. Now he has expressed a wish to fulfil his managerial ambitions."

Blackburn Rovers Supporters' Association are holding a quiz night at Ewood's Millennium Suite tomorrow at 8pm. There is a maximum of five in a team and it's £5 per team to enter. Anyone interested can pay on the door.

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