Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is set to renew his interest in Real Madrid hitman Ruud van Nistelrooy, with the veteran Dutchman expected to leave the Santiaho Bernabeu in January.

Van Nistelrooy, 33, has been limited to just 23 minutes of action both in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League this season and Los Blancos are believed to be willing to cash in on him during the winter transfer window.

The Holland international has netted an impressive 46 goals in 68 appearances for Real since joining the club in an £11million deal from Manchester United in 2006.

However, injuries have taken their toll over the past 12 months and he has found first-team football hard to come by following the Spanish giants' £170million summer spending spree on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema.

Meanwhile, with next summer's World Cup finals fast approaching, Van Nistelrooy is desperate for regular first-team football and boost his chances of making Bert van Marwijk's 23-man squad for South Africa.

That has alerted a host of Premier League clubs, including Bolton, Birmingham and Fulham, but it is though 'Big Sam' is leading the chase to bring 'Van the Man' back to England at Ewood Park.

According to reports, Real are prepared to drop their asking price to around £3million, although Van Nistelrooy's agent Barry O'Connor told The Sun: "I can't discuss Ruud's move - it will remain private until such a time as when Real decide."

Van Nistelrooy was a huge success during his five seasons at Old Trafford where he scored 150 goals in 220 appearances for United and broke Denis Law's European scoring record with 38 goals for the club.