FIT-AGAIN centre back Craig Short today admitted he faces a major battle for a first team place following the rise to fame of Martin 'Tiny' Taylor.

Short returned after a six-week absence in place of the suspended Henning Berg at the weekend.

But, with Berg set to be recalled for Saturday's clash with Barnsley, Short knows he has a fight on his hands if he is to dislodge Taylor, who has made a big impression with manager Graeme Souness over the last two months.

"I'm under no illusions that over the last six weeks Tiny and Henning have done very well," said Short.

"Tiny's probably been our most consistent player in that time.

"And, if I was one of them, then I'd feel very hard done by if I was left out considering what they've done over the last two months.

"Of course I want to keep my place but it's a headache managers would prefer to have rather than having one or two lads in the treatment room.

"But I'm just pleased to be fit again and I'll accept any decision he takes."

Short came through through the clash with Derby unscathed -- despite seeing his comeback plans hit by the postponement of Rovers' last two reserve games.

And now he's ready to throw his weight behind Souness's promotion push with his injury problems behind him.

"I need to put some performances in to put myself back in contention," said Short, who missed the previous nine games with a calf injury.

"I felt okay after Saturday but it's a lot easier when you play in the middle of a three rather than a back four.

"In the middle of a three you don't have to do a great deal of running, it's mental concentration as much as anything.

"So I didn't really feel tired at all.

"But I thought John Curtis and Tiny Taylor were excellent as well so I really enjoyed it."

Meanwhile, Rovers expect to tie up a new contract with David Dunn by the end of the week.

Some of the national Press jumped the gun yesterday by claiming the 21-year-old midfielder had already put pen to paper on a new four year deal.

However, though the length of the contract and the personal terms have been agreed, there are still a few loose ends to tie up before everything is officially rubber stamped, although Rovers do not anticipate any problems.

"There are one or two details to iron out but he wants to sign it and we want him to sign it so there's no problem. It should be sorted out later this week," said chief executive, John Williams.

Elsewhere, Third Division promotion contenders Cardiff City have enquired about taking Alan Kelly on loan.

The high-flying Bluebirds had hoped to take the Republic of Ireland international to Ninian Park for a month.

But Kelly's wages were thought to be the stumbling block.

"I got the impression my wages might have been problem so I didn't take their interest that seriously," said Kelly.

Kelly's former Sheffield United team-mate Alan Cork is currently City's manager and rates the Irishman highly.

Rovers Academy are currently considering the possibility of forming an alliance with Irish League outfit Bohemians.

Bolton's hopes of landing former Ewood favourite Colin Hendry on a permanent basis could be hit by Coventry's demand for a £250,000 fee.

First Division leaders Fulham have been linked with a loan move for Bradford City striker Benito Carbone.