ROVERS winger Damien Duff was today left reeling by a double-whammy as he battles back from hamstring trouble.

The 22-year-old wide-man had hoped to return to Rovers' first team squad for Saturday's trip to Southampton.

However, Liverpool's visit to Ewood on November 17 now looks more like a realistic comeback date.

And that has ultimately cost him his place in Mick McCarthy's squad for the Republic's crucial World Cup play-off clash with Iran later this month.

Duff was the only notable absentee when McCarthy named his 24-man squad for the two-legged clash last night.

But Rovers keeper Alan Kelly has kept his place, despite a lack of first team football at Ewood this season.

Concerns have been raised about the players' safety for the trip in light of the current situation in the Middle East.

But Kelly has no intention of following the example of the six Chelsea players who recently withdrew from their UEFA Cup tie in Israel.

"It won't be a problem or a concern for me and I think that applies to all of the lads," said Kelly.

"I don't agree with those Chelsea lads who decided not to fly out to Israel last week.

"If the club decided that it was safe for a 25-man squad to go to Israel, why did six of them not go?"

"It's going to be a tough game but I don't think the lads will have any problems going out there.

"All the Irish lads are very whole-hearted when they play for their country and I think a lot of them would go through a brick wall for the cause to be honest.

"So I can't see there being much problem with the players flying out."

One man who would love to be joining Kelly and his team-mates on the plane to Tehran is Rovers midfielder Alan Mahon.

Mahon still hasn't given up on his dream of appearing in next summer's World Cup finals, even though it's over a year since he won his last cap.

But, though he admits he would jump at the chance of a trip to Iran, he is concentrating solely on winning his place back in the Rovers squad for the time being at least.

"It's a year since I won my last cap and it's disappointing that I haven't been involved.

"But that's just football and I've got to get on with it.

"If it happens in the future then it happens. And if it doesn't then my main aim above anything else is to do well for Blackburn and try and get back in the team.

"I think my form dipped going back three or four games ago.

"Obviously, I knew that myself and the gaffer had to make a change.

"So now I'm just working my socks off trying to get back in.

"Reserve games are really important if your on the fringe of the team because it keeps your fitness levels up.

"So if you can put it in in training and in the games as well then you're halfway there."