BLACKBURN Rovers skipper Garry Flitcroft today vowed to win promotion in memory of Jack Walker as news of his death hit Ewood.

And the 27-year-old intends to start that business at Gresty Road tomorrow when Rovers clash with Crewe Alexandra.

Speaking on behalf of his shocked team-mates, Flitcroft was still stunned today after hearing Walker had passed away last night.

But the midfield battler has pledged to do everything in his power to keep the dream of a Premier League return alive.

"This will spur everyone on now -- this is going to make us even more determined to do it for him," said an emotional Flitcroft.

"I'm sure all the fans will get behind us and the lads will desperately want to get promotion for Jack.

"All the lads thought a lot of him and it's up to us to get us back in the Premier League in his memory.

"We all knew he must have been pretty bad because he didn't turn up for the pre-season team photo.

"But all the lads were just hoping and praying he was going to get better.

"I still can't believe he has gone."

Like most of Graeme Souness's first team squad, Flitcroft had built up a good rapport with Walker since his arrival at Ewood in 1996.

And the former England Under 21 international admits the man who transformed Rovers into one of the superpowers of English football is going to be sorely missed.

"I can't say enough about him," said Flitcroft.

"He was one of the most genuine guys you could ever meet.

"He was such a down to earth bloke -- the type of person you could always have a laugh with.

"And even when things were going wrong he always managed to keep his head up.

"He never blamed any of us for what was going on. "I'm just sorry he can't be here to see us get back in the Premier League."

A minute's silence is expected tomorrow and Rovers are likely to wear black armbands as a mark of respect.

Manager Graeme Souness, who was unavailable for comment today, will again be without midfielder Lee Carsley, who is serving the second game of a three-match ban.

And Craig Hignett has also been ruled out with an Achilles problem.

Rovers from: Kelly, Curtis, Bjornebye, Dailly, Short, McAteer, Flitcroft, Dunn, Duff, Jansen, Blake, Ostenstad, Gillespie, Taylor, Johnson, Harkness, Filan.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi is likely to be without record signing Dave Walton, who has a groin problem.

But striker Rodney Jack is back in the squad after jetting back from international duty in the Caribbean.

Crewe from: Kearton, Wright, S Smith, McCauley, Sodje, Lunt, Sorvel, Street, Little, Hulse, Rivers, Jack, Cramb, Foster, Collins, Tait, Bancole.

Meanwhuile, Ashley Ward's proposed move to Bradford City has fallen through -- unless the player has a late change of heart.

But there could be some movement at Ewood soon with Rovers hopeful of tying up a loan deal for Paris St Germain striker Kaba Diawara.

Chief executive John Williams held discussions with the French club yesterday and he is hopeful that something may be sorted out over the weekend.

On the Ward front, Rovers had agreed a £1.5 million fee with City for the 29-year-old striker but with the player unable to agree personal terms the transfer was called off by the Premiership club yesterday.

City chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "We made strenuous efforts to sign Ashley but unfortunately we have been unable to agree terms with him. In football, one has to accept that you don't always win on or off the field."

However, there is a feeling at Bradford that the move could be revived if Ward has a rapid re-think.

There will be a minute's silence ahead of Rovers' Under 21 clash with Chelsea tonight in the Jersey 2000 international tournament.