BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today jumped to the defence of winger Keith Gillespie after the Northern Ireland international was controversially sent off in last night's friendly with VFC Plauen.
Gillespie saw red in the 57 minute following an off the ball incident with Plauen midfielder Rico Reinhold in what developed into a niggly contest.
And the former Manchester United wide man now faces the prospect of missing the visit of his old club to Ewood on August 22 through suspension.
"It was one of those absolutely nothing incidents, but then that's what you get at this time of the year -- some very strange refeering," said a disappointed Souness.
That incident took the shine off what was another testing workout as Rovers wrapped up their three game tour with a hard fought 0-0 draw.
"It was another good test for us because it was a very hot and himid night and they made us work very hard to get something out of the game," said Souness.
"So, purely from a fitness point of view, it was a very worthwhile exercise. Overall, though, we are still looking at least a couple of yards short, but that's only to be expected at this point in our preparations." One major bonus to come out of last night's game, however, was the return to competitive action of fullback John Curtis.
The former England under 21 international was forced to miss Rovers' two previous games against Sporting Union Abtenau and Crailsheim after picking up a couple of niggling injuries as he battled back from a hernia operation.
But he was given the g oahead to start last night' s game by Rovers' medical staff and took his first step on the comeback trail after coming through 75 minutes unscathed.
"I felt a bit tired but it was good to be back," said Curtis. "I have had a pretty bad pre-season because I had a hernia operation which cut my holiday short and was difficult to get over.
"And since then I have also had problems with my Achilles, my calf, shin splints and blisters so it's all been very frustrating because you want to play in every game to keep your fitness levels up.
"If you're not as fit as the rest of the lads in training then you're always fighting to keep up -- which leaves you prone to picking up other little niggles.
"So at the moment, I'm just trying to take things easy, get a few games under my belt and, once I get my match fitness back, then I should be laughing."
Despite having to watch the bulk of the action from the sidelines, Curtis has however hailed the tour as a major success, although he spoke for most of the players when he said the amount of travelling between venues had proved exhausting.
"It's been OK although there's been a lot of travelling which the lads have all complained about," said Curtis.
"But I like the way the management have stepped up the games as the week has progressed.
"We started off by basically with an easy 12-0 win before we then moved on to a decent team in the last game and last night was even harder still.
"So now it's Port Vale and Wrexham until we build up to a climax against Barcelona which is a nice progression and that's the way it should be."
Meanwhile, skipper Garry Flitcroft and new £6.75 million signing Corrado Grabbi both missed last night's game after flying home early to be with their pregnant wives.
Both players are expecting new arrivals this weekend and were given special permission by Souness to return home on Thursday.
ROVERS RESERVES were due to take on Morecambe in a pre-season at Christie Park today (kick off 3pm).
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