Allardyce excited by old-boys' reunion

El Hadji Diouf and Tal Ben Haim have emerged as January targets for ambitious Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce.

Senegal striker Diouf is unsettled at Sunderland and is understood to be keen on a reunion with former Bolton manager Allardyce at Ewood Park, while another Wanderers old-boy, Ben Haim, could leave Manchester City if Eastlands boss Mark Hughes brings in a raft of new recruits.

Allardyce has made no secret of his desire to revamp his Rovers squad to stave off the threat of relegation and has hinted at signing players he has worked with before.

"If you've worked with a player before you know what they can do," said Allardyce.

"The most important thing is coping with the pressures in this league over a season.

"Players like them (Diouf and Ben Haim) are very experienced."