BLACKBURN Rovers are gearing up for a dash for FA Cup semi final tickets this weekend.

Rovers have reported a steady stream of season ticket holders heading for Ewood Park to secure their seats for the Millennium Stadium showdown with Arsenal next month.

However, the week-long priority period for season ticket holders, who have so far only been able to purchase one Cardiff ticket per stub, runs out on Saturday.

And with many expected to join non-season ticket holders in the queue for family and friends when the remaining allocation are put on general sale, Rovers bosses anticipate an upturn in business.

Chief executive John Williams said: "We are only selling to season ticket holders yet, but we are doing business at the ticket windows and on the telephones every day and we expect this weekend to be the big one, when season ticket holders are able to buy extra tickets."

Rovers are known to be unhappy at the scheduling of the semi-final, which kicks off at lunchtime, forcing many Rovers fans to hit the road to Cardiff as early as 5am.

And the club expect weekend sales to give the first real indicator of how many supporters might yet boycott the semi final in favour of watching it live on TV.

Meanwhile, Rovers' do not anticipate any fresh injury worries involving the players away on international duty this week.

Aussie duo Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton both played for their country on Tuesday and are expected to report a clean bill of health after touching down in London today.

South African defender Aaron Mokoena, Norwegian winger Morten Gamst Pedersen and England U21 striker Jon Stead are also expected to be fit to face Manchester United this weekend.

Meanwhile, United defender Rio Ferdinand could be ruled out through injury.

Ferdinand injured a hamstring during England's victory against Azerbaijan last night.