Last chance for Gallagher

Gallagher: Point to prove

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Paul Gallagher is determined to grasp an unexpected opportunity to prove his worth at Blackburn.

The 24-year-old has endured a frustrating career at Ewood Park since emerging from the club's academy ranks in 2002.

He has spent much of the last four years out on loan at various Championship sides and appeared to have been deemed surplus to requirements at Rovers.

Sam Allardyce even admitted as much last season, when Gallagher was at Plymouth, revealing that the club would be prepared to listen to offers for the forward.

However, the recent sales of Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbsyhire has left Blackburn short on attacking options, allowing Gallagher to stake a claim for a prominent role in the 2009/10 campaign.

"It has come as a big surprise that I am still here this summer," he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"When I was at Plymouth I never spoke to Sam Allardyce, I didn't know what he thought of me and then the next thing I saw was on television saying the club would listen to offers for me.

"I thought that was it. It was time to move on and I really believed I was going to have to move away to further my career.

Future

"Suddenly a couple of strikers have left and I have the chance to show what I can do in pre-season."

Gallagher added: "If I can score a few goals, and show the manager what I am capable of, then hopefully I have a long future here after all.

"If I can play first-team football at Blackburn then I would be happy as Larry, but if I can't then I will have to move on and maybe take a step backwards to actually progress in my career."

Meanwhile, another player hoping to impress during pre-season, new signing Steven N'Zonzi, has already caught Allardyce's eye and could be thrown into Premier League action sooner rather than later.

"I think young Steven N'Zonzi is looking a very useful player," Allardyce told the club's official website.

"He is perhaps a little more advanced than I expected, we knew he was good but he seems to cope with it all very well.

"I hope that is the case as we get closer to the Premier League."