BLACKBURN Rovers have not ruled out moving back in for former targets Benjani and James Beattie as their hopes of having a new striker on board within weeks of the end of the season start to fade.

Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has made a centre forward his main priority this summer and had insisted that he wanted to have a signing wrapped up before the start of the World Cup on June 11, with many potential targets likely to be in greater demand after featuring in the tournament.

But it is understood that no deal is currently imminent for any of the players they have looked at, with Rovers having pulled out of the race for Polish international Robert Lewandowski – now set to join Borussia Dortmund – because of concerns over the 21-year-old’s lack of experience.

Long-term target Aruna Dindane currently seems to be favouring a lucrative move to Qatar as he looks for a new club following the end of his loan spell at Portsmouth from Lens.

Similarly, Rovers face competition from several other clubs for Frederic Piquionne, who spent the season on loan at Fratton Park from Lyon.

Benjani was a Rovers target both last summer and in January, and it is understood that there remains a possibility that they could revive their interest in the Zimbabwean - with the club’s lack of spending power this summer limiting the options available to them.

The 31-year-old failed to make an impact after switching to Sunderland from Manchester City midway through the 2009/10 campaign but is now out of contract and would be available on a Bosman free transfer.

Beattie, who started his career at Ewood Park before being part of the ill-fated swap deal that brought Kevin Davies to the club in 1998, has also been on Allardyce’s wanted list in the past.

The striker did not impress during his second season at Stoke, which included a much-publicised bust-up with boss Tony Pulis, and with only one year left on his contract at the Britannia Stadium could now be available for a cut-price fee.

Reports had suggested that Rovers had put any move for a striker on hold while they considered a move for Real Madrid midfielder Guti, but it is understood that a forward remains the club’s sole priority now they have secured the future of Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Rovers will continue to monitor Guti, who has also been linked with Galatasaray, but are only likely to make a move if they can afford both the Spaniard and the goalscorer they require.