BLACKBURN defender Jay McEveley fears he could be ruled out for the rest of the season.

The 18-year-old Academy starlet has had surgery to cure the knee problem he sustained during a recent loan spell with Burnley.

And specialists have told the talented teenager that it could be another two months before he's allowed to resume training again, which effectively means he will play no further part in Rovers' relegation battle.

"The specialists are saying it could be another two to three months and then I've got to get match-fit after that, so it looks like I won't play again this season," said McEveley.

"I've just got to work hard, get myself right, and concentrate on being ready for next season now.

"It's disappointing but I've got to think what's best for my long-term career."

McEveley dislocated his kneecap when stretching for a ball during Burnley's FA Cup clash with Mansfield on January 3.

The damage was such that Rovers' medical staff sent the defender for surgery and he only recently dispensed with his crutches.

"I was stretching for the ball and I heard a snap. Then when I looked down, my kneecap was on the outside of my knee," said McEveley.

Despite the way his loan spell with the Clarets came to an unfortunate end, McEveley doesn't regret his decision to go to Turf Moor.

Few players have crossed the East Lancs divide in recent times but the Burnley fans put local rivalry to one side and made him feel welcome.

"I didn't really think too much about it," said McEveley.

"I just thought of it as an opportunity to play first team football.

"Andy Todd said the fans were fine with him so I wasn't too worried about going over there and they seemed to accept me, no problem.

"I was feeling frustrated at not playing (with Rovers) which is why it was good to get out and have a few games somewhere else.

"It's just a pity that that was my first full start against Mansfield when I got injured."

In the meantime, McEveley is already focusing on getting fit for next season.

He lost his place in the first team at Rovers after Graeme Souness signed Vratislav Gresko in the summer.

And the competition for the left-back spot has since become even more intense following the arrival of Michael Gray from Sunderland.

But McEveley is not daunted by the battle ahead.

"I think the manager needed a bit of extra cover for Vratty now that I'm not in the frame for the rest of the season so it was a case of boosting the squad because we needed a left-sided player," added McEveley.

Meanwhile, Rovers midfielder Alan Mahon could join Wigan in the next 24 hours.

The Latics have contacted Rovers about striking a deal for the Republic of Ireland international and Graeme Souness would be prepared to let him go.

Mahon was initially brought back from Ipswich to help Rovers through an injury crisis but the recent signing of Michael Gray means he has now slipped further down the pecking order.

Latics boss Paul Jewell may be prepared to offer around £250,000 for the former Tranmere star.

In the meantime, new signing Martin Andresen put himself in the frame for a possible debut against Middlesbrough on Saturday after impressing in the reserves' 4-0 win against Birmingham last night.

The Norwegian international, who has joined Rovers on loan for the rest of the season, scored one of his side's goals and produced a number of net touches before he was substituted in the second half.