BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is ready to welcome back David Thompson and Barry Ferguson with open arms when pre-season training gets underway tomorrow.

Thompson and Ferguson are both ready to resume full training with the rest of the squad after making successful recoveries from serious knee injuries.

And Souness has described their return to the fold as a massive boost as the countdown to the new season begins in earnest.

"If we can get both of them playing in our midfield again, together with Javier De Pedro, then we've effectively got a brand new midfield," said Souness.

"Brett Emerton has also had a chance to look at it now and I think we'll see a different player next season.

"He feels as though he didn't do himself justice in his first season here and he's determined to improve this year.

"If we can keep Thommo and Fergie fit and we've also got Tugay again, who's been a brilliant servant for us during the last three years, then I think we'll be in good shape.

"I'm personally delighted that Tugay has signed a new contract with us. He's been a smashing signing for us over the last three years and it's great news for the club that he's going to be around again this season."

Ferguson and Thompson both missed the second half of last season as a result of serious injuries.

Thompson was last seen in action at Leicester in November, while Ferguson has been sidelined since December with a fractured kneecap.

Thankfully, both players have since made complete recoveries and Souness is looking forward to seeing them back in competitive action, possibly as early as the club's pre-season trip to Germany.

The Rovers boss intends to build his team around Ferguson and the Scot has taken over as the captaincy from Garry Flitcroft, whose future at the club is now in jeopardy.

Thompson's versatility will also provide the manager with more attacking options and he may even toy with the idea of playing him in the centre.

Meanwhile, Souness is also relishing the return of Jon Stead after the striker exploded onto the scene last season.

The 21-year-old scored six goals in 13 games following his cut-price move from Huddersfield Town in January and Souness will be overjoyed if he makes a similar impact again.

"If Jon Stead comes back as the player he was last season then we've won the lottery," added Souness.

"We've got to remember he's still only a young fella but he showed last season that he has the attitude to succeed at this level.

"And then we've got Paul Dickov who'll give us bags of enthusiasm and, hopefully, goals as well."

In the meantime, Rovers striker Andy Cole has been linked with a surprise move to Celtic.

Sources north of the border claim the Glasgow giants are considering swooping for Cole as a possible replacement for the Barcelona-bound Henrik Larsson.

But a Rovers spokesman today said the club have not heard anything official as yet from Celtic in regard to the 32-year-old former Manchester United star.

Rovers away trip to meet Premiership champions Arsenal has been put back 24 hours.

The game, originally scheduled for Tuesday, August 24, will now be played on Wednesday, August 25 at 7.45 pm.

Arsenal have been asked to play Middlesbrough in a televised game on Sunday, August 21, and as a result the Gunners have requested the change to the Rovers fixture - which will not be a televised game.