BLACKBURN Rovers defender Craig Short could be fit to face Rochdale in the Worthington Cup next week -- despite fears he had swallowed his tongue during last night's 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

The former Everton defender sank to his knees clutching his throat after an accidental clash with striker Andy Booth in the 40th minute.

Rovers physio Dave Fevre was quickly on the scene and immediately called for further medical assistance.

After a three minute delay, he was then taken away on a stretcher but Fevre later confirmed the player is only suffering from slight concussion.

"There was a panic about him not breathing for a while but he should be okay," said Fevre.

And manager Graeme Souness today added: "He was slightly concussed and he didn't really know where he was.

"For all he knew he could have been in Sheffield or sat at home in front of the telly watching Coronation Street. "But I think he'll be all right. He's got a hard head.

"It was a nasty challenge in terms of the fact both of them went for it.

"You'd think he wouldn't want to be going in for them at his age."

Short's replacement, Martin Taylor, went on to become Rovers' hero, bagging a 44th minute equaliser to cancel out Ashley Westwood's early opener.

And Souness was pleased with his side's battling qualities, even though he was far from happy with other aspects of their play.

"I think we've got to be reasonably happy with a point," said Souness.

"They got an enormous lift inside two minutes and we didn't start well.

"As the first half panned out we did get it down at times and passed it.

"But we still made too many mistakes throughout the game.

"On too many occasions the simple pass was on and we didn't do it.

"They caused us problems, basically, by lumping it forward to their two big men who were a handful because of their size and aggression.

"I would like to see the goal again. I don't think it was particularly clever defending by some of us.

"But I think we've worked hard to get a point, especially after losing our centre half in the way we did."

Souness also confirmed Christian Dailly had been left out for tactical reasons rather than injury.

Rovers reserve side to entertain Everton in the FA Premier reserve league tonight is: Filan, Kenna, Harkness, McKinlay, Peacock, Howson, Baldacchino, Douglas, Diawara, Ostenstad, Corbett. Subs: Burgess, Hind, O'Brien, McNamee, McCann.

Wednesday boss Paul Jewell revealed that he would like to make Simon Grayson's loan deal at Wednesday a permament move, along with goalscorer Ashley Westwood.

He said: "There is a little bit of money to spend, but it's a long, long season and I don't want to rush into anything that might only be a short term answer.

"But the two players have done well. They have improved the squad and hopefully we can sort something out. We will have to wait and see."