Blackburn are likely to take their search for a striker overseas after struggling to pin down any realistic targets closer to home.

Having sold Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City for a fee in the region of £17million and Matt Derbyshire to Olympiacos for £3million, manager Sam Allardyce is keen to reinforce his forward line.

The squad have returned to pre-season training today and the Rovers boss would like to recruit a recognised goalscorer as soon as possible but that may take longer than expected.

Allardyce has been linked with a move for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, 33, as the former Manchester United forward has slipped down the pecking order at the Bernabeu.

"We have been looking around for a proven Premier League striker but it is proving a difficult task," said chairman John Williams.

"We may need to look abroad and go down that route."