Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is being forced to play a dangerous waiting game as he bids to strengthen his attacking options at Ewood Park.

Football betting pundits note that Rovers are in desperate pursuit of a striker to bolster their threadbare attack, but Allardyce’s transfer strategy is dependent on the club’s potential takeover.

With a month to go to the start of the season Allardyce has yet to add to his squad and the Rovers boss, for the time being, is sitting tight.

Indian businessman Saurin Shah has made his interest in the Lancashire club public, but as yet no takeover has been sealed and Allardyce has been left in limbo.

It’s understood the club have drawn up two lists of targets – one with the aid of new investment and the other without. The current transfer budget for Allardyce is around £2.5million, but the boss is hoping to have those coffers and the team’s online betting odds of success boosted with Shah’s investment.

It’s a dangerous waiting game because Rovers’ forward line is thin with only senior strikers Jason Roberts, Nikola Kalinic, and El-Hadji Diouf on the books.

Maceo Rigters, who spent all of last season on loan at Barnsley, and David Hoilett are the only other options with any first-team experience.

Allardyce knows he needs to make at least one addition to his forward line, but the longer he waits for the cash the harder the search will become.

Rovers, who were 20 points clear of the relegation zone last season, can’t afford to start the campaign with a lightweight attack.

They only managed 41 goals in 38 games last season and with Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City to face in three of their opening four games they face a tough start to the campaign.

After 64 games spread across 31 days the World Cup is finally over and Spain have added the world title to their European crown won two years ago. It has been an eventful month in South Africa with plenty of memorable moments, but here are my top five.

1. Lampard’s goal that never was.

Perhaps an image that will change the game forever. Frank Lampard’s dipping shot landed at least a foot over the line but was not given by the linesman. A review into the use of video technology has been called for and changes will be made in the wake of an incident which would have brought England level at 2-2 against Germany. In the end, they lost 4-1.

2. Van Bronckhorst’s goal in the semi-final.

Many players struggled to get to grips with the fly-away Jubalini ball, but 35-year-old Van Bronckhorst tamed the beast with a cracking 25 yard strike into the top corner to help the Netherlands into the World Cup final.

3. The French going on strike.

The rumblings of discontent had been going on for a while in the French camp, but things exploded one morning at the training ground when, after a blistering argument between some of the players and the coaching staff, the squad decided to go on strike. It was no surprise to see them eliminated at the group stage.

4. Germany’s hammerings of England and Argentina.

Joachim Loew’s young team came into the tournament with low expectations, but this exciting group of players ripped England and then Argentina apart with some devastating counter-attacking football. It ended in a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Spain but rest assured these players will be back in four years time. And Premier League odds watchers should expect a few of them to be turning up in England soon.

5. Asamoah Gyan’s penalty miss.

It was perhaps the second most controversial moment of the tournament. Luis Suarez’s handball in the last minute of extra time gave Ghana the chance to advance to the World Cup semi-finals. Suarez was inconsolable for a few moments as he trudged off the pitch only for the pain to turn to joy when Gyan blasted the penalty against the bar. It was a devastating blow for Ghana, and one that upset many football bets.

The final whistle went soon after and the Uruguayan’s advanced on penalty kicks with Suarez hailed a hero by his countrymen and public enemy number one by those in Africa.