Damien Duff linked with Blackburn return

Irish international winger Damien Duff has been linked with a return to former club Blackburn Rovers, according to the Daily Mail.

A sensational bid for Ronaldinho made by Rovers looks unlikely to materialise, with the Brazilian set to sign for Gremio in his homeland. According to the paper, the club have instead set their sights on Duff and another former player, Manchester City outcast Roque Santa Cruz.

Duff enjoyed one of the best spells of his career with Rovers from 1996-2003, where he scored 27 goals in 184 appearances and established himself as one of the most dangerous wingers in the Premier League.

His form was enough to earn him a move to Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles and a League Cup under the stewardship of José Mourinho.

Duff moved on from Stamford Bridge to Newcastle in 2006, but since then has struggled with injuries and has failed to recreate the form he showed at Blackburn, Chelsea and on a consistent basis for the Irish national team.

Former Blackburn manager Roy Hodgson signed Duff for Fulham in the summer of 2009 and after a decent first season at Craven Cottage, Duff has stagnated somewhat this term, failing to score in 14 Premier League appearances so far.

Blackburn’s caretaker boss Steve Kean  is hoping that a return to Blackburn would revitalise the 31-year old’s career, although Fulham boss Mark Hughes is thought to be reluctant to part with Duff as the Cottagers are struggling in the bottom half of the Premier League table.