Blackburn Rovers legend Simon Garner has backed Sam Allardyce's bid for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "Sam should go for it if he gets half a chance.

"Van Nistelrooy would be a great signing, although I can imagine wages might be problem.

"Sam is very clever in the transfer market and has got players in the past that you wouldn't have expected him to get.

"I'm sure other clubs would come in for van Nistelrooy and he would probably want to keep his options open."