BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is excited about his side's prospects for the new season after Craig Bellamy and Shefki Kuqi made encouraging debuts in Saturday's friendly with Morecambe.

Hughes' two new summer signings both played 45 minutes each in the 2-2 draw at Christie Park, and Kuqi marked his first appearance with a stunning goal to underline just why he's been brought to Rovers on a free.

Bellamy and Kuqi's performances - and the return of Matt Jansen - were the biggest plusses to come out of Rovers' first pre-season workout.

And Hughes believes he's now got the kind of attacking options he needs to mount a charge for the top 10 over the coming months.

"I'm delighted with the way things are going at the moment," said the Rovers boss, who took his squad to Germany for a pre-season tour last night.

"It was important after last year that we gave ourselves more options up front and we've certainly got that now.

"We've got the rapier speed of Craig, Shefki's all about power and strength, and Dickie (Paul Dickov) always gives everything he's got so everyone knows what his game is all about.

"Matt Jansen is also coming back, too, and there's also the likes of Gally so we've got plenty of options which is pleasing."

Jansen made his first competitive appearance since January and he looked in decent physical shape considering he's just spent four months out of the game.

"Matt's missed a lot of football and training but he's obviously kept himself fit in his time away from the club so he hasn't suffered fitness wise," said Hughes.

"Training with the group is different from training on your own so a little bit of his game is not quite there, but I'm pleased for him."

In the meantime, Rovers have dismissed weekend reports which claimed they made an enquiry for Real Madrid striker Michael Owen.

And Andy Cole is on the verge of joining Manchester City, which scuppers any prospect of him returning to Ewood this summer.