DAMIEN Duff has given Blackburn Rovers a major boost by appearing to make a rapid recovery from the viral infection that counted him out of last weekend's win at Stockport.

There was a slight concern that Duff was suffering from what might be a serious problem and he was immediately withdrawn from tonight's Republic of Ireland international as well.

But manager Tony Parkes welcomed the 20-year-old winger back to Brockhall yesterday and there are high hopes he will be fit for the visit of West Bromwich Albion to Ewood on Saturday.

"He should be able to do some light training today and there's every chance that he will be okay for Saturday," said the manager.

"We were hopeful it would not prove to be too serious and it looks as though that is how it has turned out."

Callum Davidson moved forward to deputise for Duff on the left side of midfield at Stockport, where it was not exactly the kind of game in which the Irishman's skills might have been able to flourish.

But a home match when a negative opposition will probably need breaking down is another thing and Rovers are likely to need Duff's creativity against relegation-threatened Albion.

Meanwhile, Parkes admitted he could understand the fact that young midfielder David Dunn had felt he needed to ask for a transfer - rejected by the board. There are so many players for certain positions at Ewood that frustration is bound to creep in.

Dunn, for example, could be competing with as many as six players for one of the two central midfield spots.

"It's an unbalanced squad," said Parkes. "When everyone is fit, we also have a surplus of central defenders and we have a lot of strikers.

"Players complain when they aren't in the side.

"It's a problem because they all want to play and want to know why they aren't if they are left out.

"I can understand them being unhappy because they all want to play football."

Nathan Blake is expected to line up alongside Wigan's recent signing Neil Roberts when Wales take on Qatar in a friendly tonight.

The Rovers striker looks a certain starter as Mark Hughes, now firmly established as manager, looks to start a new era in Welsh football.

There is no place, however, for Jason McAteer in the Republic of Ireland line-up to face the Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, tonight.

The Ewood midfielder must wait to see if there is a spot on the subs bench for him.

Alan Kelly, as expected, is named in goal.

Keith Gillespie and Damien Johnson will both start for Northern Ireland in Luxembourg.

Ewood youngster Peter Murphy was a second half substitute in the Republic of Ireland under-21's 2-1 defeat against the Czech Republic last night.

Portsmouth were hoping to play Jimmy Corbett in another reserve game at Colchester this afternoon.

If the Ewood winger made a good impression, then Pompey boss Tony Pulis was expected to try to turn his trial spell at Fratton Park into a loan period.

Pulis, who was pleased by Corbett's efforts in a reserve game last week, has long been an admirer of the young winger's ability. He was the man, in fact, who sold him to Rovers for £525,000 when he was Gillingham manager in the summer of 1998.

There was potential for another £475,000 to be paid but that was subject to first team appearances at Ewood.

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