RAY Harford is considering a Russian revolution at Ewood Park.

And that could well signal a sensational transfer swoop on Spartak Moscow's international set.

Ilia Tsimbalar and Yuri Nikiforov are the top names on the Blackburn Rovers manager's potential hit-list as I understand he is set to re-ignite the interest he first openly expressed in the Russian stars during the UEFA Champions' League campaign.

Harford believes Nikiforov, who can operate either in midfield or the centre of defence, is a world-class player.

He is also a great admirer of Tsimbalar, who is capable of filling a role anywhere down the left hand side and was named Russia's Footballer of the Year last season.

Rovers have scoured this country for top-class stars but lack of availability is the big problem.

They have had to turn their attentions abroad in an effort to find the stature of player needed to strengthen the squad.

And Spartak's playing assets could provide rich pickings as well as create a stir. Before Rovers met Spartak on that ill-fated November night in Moscow, Harford said of the 25-year-old Nikiforov:

"I think he is regarded as one of the best players in Russia, if not the best.

"And from what I have seen of him he really does look a top-class player.

"He has terrific pace and he was outstanding for Russia when they played Scotland in the European Championships."

Nikiforov was outstanding as Spartak won all six of their group games in the Champions' League and he is a player who enjoys getting forward - as he showed with the second goal in the 3-0 defeat of Rovers in Moscow.

A double raid for him and the 26-year-old Tsimbalar would make sense, as the pair were together with Ukraine club Chernomorets Odessa, before moving to Spartak in tandem three years ago.

Tsimbalar, who has been likened to a left-sided Andrei Kanchelskis, actually played twice for the Ukraine in unofficial internationals before opting for Russia. The pair would not come cheap but they wouldn't cost as much as players of a similar pedigree in this country.

Harford has had to look to Europe for new blood and, interestingly, Sheffield Wednesday have recently signed a player Rovers had looked at - Regi Blinker from Feyenoord.

But he will also be keeping an eye on the home market, just in case.

That might lead him to Highbury tonight to check on Garry Flitcroft, a player he has been linked with in the past.

City might find it hard to resist any big-money offers for their players.

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