BORN in Scotland, Paul Gallagher was raised in Blackburn, and worked his way through the Ewood Park Academy and reserve side to break into the Rovers' first-team squad.

He made his debut in March 2003 as an 18-year-old substitute in Blackburn's 2-0 Premiership win over the previous season's champions, Arsenal.

His full debut followed in a 1-0 win over Tottenham in November of the next season, during which campaign he registered his first league goal - in a 4-0 win over Birmingham - and won his first and, so far, only Scottish cap in a 4-0 defeat by Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

He struggled to get much first-team football under Mark Hughes in 2004-05, scoring only three goals - in consecutive games - and, after failing to appear in the early games of 2005-06, he was loaned to Stoke City.

He spent almost all season on loan at the Britannia, finishing as the Potters' top scorer, with 12 goals in 40 games, and playing against the Pilgrims in a 2-1 Championship defeat at Home Park in October, before he was recalled by Blackburn with three games remaining in the Premiership season.

Despite several clubs showing an interest in signing Gallagher on either a loan or permanent basis, he opted to spend the 2006-07 season fighting for his place at Ewood Park, and he made two Premiership starts, 14 appearances as a substitute, and scored one goal.

A year ago this week, Gallagher, who had been linked with a return to Stoke, signed a sixth-month loan deal with another Championship side Preston North End, making 19 appearances for them and netting once.

However, he did eventually return to Stoke, playing seven times in the second half of the season for former Argyle manager Tony Pulis as the Potters reached the Premier League.

His only first-team appearance for Blackburn this season came in Wednesday's 4-1 Carling Cup second-round victory over Grimsby Town at Ewood Park.