BLACKBURN Rovers are on target to have a full strength squad for this Saturday's Premiership curtain raiser against West Brom.

Apart from long term broken foot victim Steven Reid, the injury doubts that were hanging over Graeme Souness's players during the weekend trip to Ireland are on course to clear up.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel is set to be fit after injuring his 'kicking' muscle on the pre-season tour to Germany, while Craig Short and David Thompson also sat out Saturday's 4-0 win at Bray Wanderers.

"At the moment it would appear that we are going to have a full squad to choose from," said Rovers chief executive John Williams. "There are one or two knocks and a couple of players under treatment but it's not too bad and they should be available for selection.

"David Thompson is a slightly different case, it's not because of any new injuries, he's a little bit behind because of the length of time he's been out."

Thompson will step up his recovery tonight when Rovers reserves kick off their league campaign tonight at home to Everton.

Dwight Yorke is also set to take his place in the first team squad after Rovers re-iterated their desire to keep him at Ewood today.

Reports quoting Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric saying that Yorke has told Blackburn he wants to

join Pompey in a £400,000 deal have continued the speculation surrounding the striker's future.

But Williams has insisted that today's board meeting has nothing to do with discussing a transfer for the 32-year-old.

He said: "There is a board meeting but it's just to put the finishing touches to the football side of things.

"It will no doubt touch on Dwight Yorke but we've had no bid from Portsmouth and we want him to stay."

In the opposite direction, Williams isn't anticipating any more new players joining Rovers ahead of their opening Premiership game on Saturday.

They are still waiting to hear back from Dutch club Excelsior on their offer for 20-year-old striker Mounir El Homdaoui, but are willing to bide their time over the deal.

"It's unlikely there will be anything before Saturday," said Williams. "We are still having a look and always want to keep improving so wouldn't rule out the possibility of more additions before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

"But there's nothing concrete at the moment except the offer we've made for the Dutch striker.

"We want to get the player but it is not something we are going to rush."

Meanwhile, boss Graeme Souness has shrugged off Jonathan Stead's indifferent pre-season form by insisting he will score the goals when it really matters.

Stead was on target in Saturday's 4-0 win at Bray Wanderers and Souness is convinced the 21-year-old will be ready to fire on all cylinders again when the Premiership kicks off on Saturday.

"Jon Stead has started again where he left off last season," said Souness. "He scored a goal on Saturday and although he hasn't got as many as he would have wanted in pre-season, he's saving them up for the Premier League.

"I expect another good season from him."

Rovers reserve team v Everton: Yelldell, Peers, Morgan, Douglas, McEveley, Bruce, Thompson, Danns, Jansen, Johnson, Donnelly. Subs: Fitzgerald, Drench, Taylor, Harkins, Derbyshire, Hodge. Kick-off at Morecambe's Christie Park is 7pm.