TEENAGE star Ben Burgess has committed his immediate future to Ewood by signing a new long-term contract with Blackburn Rovers.

The giant striker, who only turned 18 last November, has put pen to paper on a deal for the rest of this season and another three years -- taking him through to the summer of 2003.

And Rovers boss Graeme Souness can take heart from yet another example of the troops rallying round, following his arrival at Ewood.

First of all another of the club's highly-rated young players David Dunn withdrew his transfer request and, this week, Keith Gillespie stressed he had no intentions of taking advantage of a get-out clause in his contract in case of a second season in the First Division.

They are encouraging signs of unity after a traumatic period for the club.

Burgess, who was on target again with the winner for the reserves against Bradford City on Tuesday night, has made a big impression in more ways than one at Ewood.

And he has been included in the senior party to travel to a couple of recent away games. With Rovers' scoring record, it's not inconceivable he could get a senior chance before the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Souness is preparing for a tough battle against Sheffield United at Ewood tomorrow without injured keeper Alan Kelly, meaning Alan Miller will make his Rovers bow. The Blades looked doomed to relegation before Neil Warnock took over last December. He prompted a revival and they are now virtually safe, having reached their target of 50 points.

But the Rovers boss feels they will be awkward opponents.

"It's going to be a hard game for us," he said.

"They are a real physical team, all the reports say they are an aggressive side but I like to think it's a good test for us to see how we can deal with it.

"It will be another situation, a different one, but that's part and parcel of football.

"And you have to meet every challenge head on."

Having played three different formations and switched the personnel around too, it remains to be seen what kind of side Souness sends out tomorrow.

But, while he continues to assess his playing staff, his priority will still be to win the game and extend his unbeaten start to four matches. Craig Short, who damaged a thigh at Nottingham Forest last Saturday, is out along with Darren Peacock (calf), while Simon Grayson and Callum Davidson have both been omitted from a squad light on defenders and Lee Carsley will be given a little more time after eight weeks out with a broken bone in his foot.

Per Frandsen is back after a groin injury and so is Jason McAteer (hamstring) but Kelly misses out on facing his old club.

The keeper's groin strain was responding to treatment but he has also damaged a calf and was ruled out today. Anthony Williams has been recalled from Macclesfield to go on the bench.

Given the personnel, Rovers could play either three defenders or an orthodox back four with McAteer at right back.

Rovers will choose from: Miller, McAteer, Dailly, Broomes, Harkness, Johnson, Gillespie, Dunn, Flitcroft, Duff, Ward, Blake, Ostenstad, Jansen, Frandsen, Williams.

United have a couple of fitness tests to check out but anticipate that defenders Lee Sandford and Andy Woodward will be given the all clear.

Another defender, Australian Shaun Murphy is available again after suspension and is expecvted to replace injured David Gysbrechts in the centre. The Blades lost their unbeaten home record under Neil Warnock only last Saturday when they went down 2-1 to Birmingham.

On Tuesday night they played a mixed team in a Bramall Lane friendly against Latvia, going down 1-0 to a goal from Marian Pahars.

They are expected to choose from: Tracey, Kozluk, Woodward, Sandford, Murphy, Quinn, Devlin, Brown, Ford, Woodhouse, D'Jaffo, Bent, Wilson, Hamilton, Ribeiro, Duke.

The Academy under-19 team bid for a place in their play-off quarter finals tomorrow when they take on Aston Villa at Brockhall (kick-off noon).

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