PER Pedersen's departure for Borussia Moenchengladbach will speed up Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson's re-entry into the transfer market - with a full back and a striker early targets.

But the manager stressed today that he had no intention of playing the "dangerous" game of spending in haste.

He did, however, confirm that the club were looking to strengthen their striking resources as well as other areas.

"I wouldn't say a striker is top of the list but a front man is in a list of players in areas we are looking to strengthen," confirmed Hodgson

"We are now down to three strikers plus the youngsters which is a small contingent," said Hodgson.

A quick glance at the playing staff also shows that Rovers are fairly lightweight in the full back department.

It is quite logical to assume that a new left back is close to the top of that wanted list.

But top-quality players in any position are not readily available, no matter how much money you have. Hodgson knows the score and that's why he preaches caution.

"Of course, we can keep our eyes and ears open so that if a player becomes available that my coaching staff and I think is the right man for us, then we won't be slow to move in.

"But the fact is that having money to spend is dangerous, because sometimes you go and buy things you don't want.

"We made that mistake maybe last year with two players we have had to let go.

"George (Donis) and Per came in at a time when the club was desperate and had to get somebody.

"We thought we would take a chance with these two but it didn't work out for us and it didn't work out for them.

"And therefore it's better that, the next time we move into the market, we move in knowing that this is the man we want."

Pedersen was today with the German club for medical checks and Hodgson expects him to accept the move over the weekend.

"He's been pushed down to fourth spot here among our strikers by the arrival of Martin Dahlin and the great form of Kevin Gallacher and Chris Sutton," said the manager.

"We understand it's hard for him and he's not going to get much of a look in here, so when a club of the prestige of Borussia Moenchengladbach comes in it's very difficult for us to say no."

There has been quite a clearout since Hodgson began the hefty task of reshaping the squad.

But it also left room for youngsters such as Marlon Broomes and Damien Duff to make progress.

And James Beattie and James Thomas will be looking to do likewise.

"The ones who have gone out are quite simply the ones we thought weren't going to get much of a chance here," explained Hodgson. "So, from our point of view and theirs, it's better they move on.

"Le Saux and Berg were obvious exceptions to that. They are two players we would obviously have loved to have had with us.

"But circumstances contrived in a way that we were forced to let them go, albeit for a lot of money."

Meanwhile, Jeff Kenna is set to miss Rovers' trip to Newcastle next Saturday after being called up for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off against Belgium.

And Newcastle keeper Shay Given will also miss out on a chance to face his former club for similar reasons.

Ireland have said they will invoke the five-day call-up rule.

Newcastle could also have another problem if Belgium name Philippe Albert.

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