DANISH international striker Per Pedersen is facing up to the possibility that his career could be plunged back into limbo this summer, writes PETER WHITE.

Pedersen, on extended loan from Blackburn Rovers to Borussia Moenchengladbach, admitted today that he could find himself back at Ewood at the end of the season.

And he is refreshingly honest about the prospects, admitting that his chances of breaking into Roy Hodgson's team would probably be even slimmer second time around.

The Dane's main problems surround the present state of BMG, a club in crisis and in grave danger of being relegated from the Bundesliga.

Pedersen has proved popular since his move to Germany last October and they have an option to buy him when the agreement ends this summer.

But the club has had a disastrous spell, the coach who signed the striker has already gone and his replacement's head is said to be on the block unless there is a dramatic revival.

Pedersen has missed the last two games with a slight knee injury but expects to be back in action next week and will almost certainly be restored to the side.

Speaking from Germany he said: "I don't know what is going to happen.

"Right now the only thing that matters is to save the club. There are 10 games left and the next four are very important because they are against the teams around us in the table.

"But if I am not staying here I will be back in Blackburn, as I am still under contract.

"It's not the best situation for me. I am trying not think too much about it at the moment but I am very aware of it.

"It would be as difficult, if not more difficult, for me to get a place in the Blackburn team. Chris and Kevin have been having an unbelievable season.

"I had my chances (last time) and didn't play well enough. That's the way football is. You have to be honest, too many players say the manager is bad or other things are to blame. Roy Hodgson is a fantastic manager, probably the best I have ever worked with. You can't say anything bad about him. What has happened to me is just what happens in football and, if I do come back, I'll have to sit down and talk the situation over with the manager.

"We have to wait and see. The club is struggling at the moment but I am enjoying playing again."

If BMG were to go down, it is unlikely that Pedersen would want to stay and, in any case, it would probably rule out a permanent bid.

Meanwhile, a national newspaper report today that Rovers had moved back in with an offer for Southampton striker Egil Ostenstad was rubbished.

Ostenstad has twice been the subject of Ewood interest, first of all last summer and then again earlier this year.

On the most recent occasion, Lars Bohinen's name was thrown into the frame for a possible part-exchange deal.

But nothing developed and chief executive John Williams said today: "We did have discussions some weeks ago with Southampton but, subsequently, there has been nothing."

And Saints boss David Jones, struggling for strikers, said: "It's absolute bull. I have spoken to Roy Hodgson and he is not interested in Egil. It's an old story."

Rovers are to have talks with James Beattie about a new contract at Ewood. The striker, who has just turned 20, has over a year to run on his present terms.

The club have applied to have Gary Croft's only caution of the season removed from the defender's record as he has completed five full matches without being booked.

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