OUMAR Konde is back in full training and aiming to start pushing for a place for the first time in Roy Hodgson's squad as Blackburn Rovers battle for Premiership survival.

Following the return of Jason Wilcox, some three and a half weeks after the winger played his last game before undergoing groin surgery, Konde's availability is another timely lift.

And, in the present circumstances, Rovers may need all the re-inforcements they can find.

The Swiss under-21 international was in danger of becoming Ewood's forgotten man, following his £500,000 move from FC Basle three weeks ago.

He was one of three signings in a week by Rovers, Dario Marcolin and Nathan Blake being the others and they have already made their mark.

But Konde had a slight stomach strain when he arrived and, although he had no problems passing the medical, could not be considered for selection.

That has now cleared up and the 19-year-old holding midfielder, or central defender, is eager to press his claims for a place in the squad.

With a lack of reserve games -- Rovers have a month without a fixture -- Konde and others like Wilcox cannot gain any extra match practice at the moment.

So if they are needed, Hodgson will have to throw them straight in.

But he did that, in any case, with Kevin Gallacher who had started only one Premiership game in two months before returning as a subtitute at Old Trafford last Saturday.

Using that as a yardstick, both Wilcox and Konde could come into contention for a place in Saturday's squad for the Premiership basement battle with fellow-strugglers Southampton.

Konde was playing for Basle until just before his move to England and Wilcox was a regular member of the side until he had to be substituted against Arsenal on October 25 and subsequently needed surgery.

Compared to Gallacher, who nevertheless looked very bright when he went on last Saturday, they should both be a lot closer to match fitness.

Whether Hodgson decides to include either in his plans for Saturday's crucial game could well depend on the walking wounded members of his squad.

The manager revealed that Tim Sherwood (groin) and Darren Peacock (Achilles) had needed to have some rest this week, primarily as a precaution because of the injuries they have been carrying.

He will be anxious to have both in the side on Saturday and Sherwood, of course, will be playing his last match before starting a three-game suspension for his red card at Old Trafford.

Hodgson must also keep his fingers crossed that his internationals return unscathed, with Rovers training this afternoon.

Damien Duff played the full 90 minutes for the Republic of Ireland in Yugoslavia but didn't seem to have any problems, while Jeff Kenna had to be content with a non-playing substitute's role.

Back-up goalkeeper Alan Fettis was on duty in Northern Ireland's 2-2 draw with Macedonia in Belfast, while young defender David Worrell skippered the Republic's under-21 side to a 1-1 draw in Yugoslavia.

Stephane Henchoz was with the Switzerland side for their 2-0 defeat in Hungary.

Rovers also had Kevin Davies and David Dunn in action with England under-21s at Ipswich on Tuesday.

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