Ward set for shock recall

The 29-year-old frontman has missed the last five weeks with a damaged shoulder following a Boxing Day collision with Nottingham Forest defender Richard Scimeca.

But the six-goal hit man has now declared himself fit again and manager Tony Parkes today confirmed he's in contention for a place in his 16.

"Ashley is fit and ready to go but I'll have to have a look at him again today before deciding whether he will be one who might be pushing for a place," said Parkes.

Ward has not played in a competitive match since the Forest fixture over Christmas.

But he would love the chance to figure tomorrow against Rovers' derby rivals.

"I've been training for nearly two weeks now and it's been going quite well so I'm in contention," said Ward.

"But I won't know for sure until Tony announces the squad today.

"I'm certainly hoping to be involved and I'm raring to go after getting through all the rehabilitation.

"It's a big game and I've really missed playing whilst I've been out. "But I haven't played any reserve games or anything so I'm not sure if I'm match fit yet."

Should Ward get the nod then he is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench after Nathan Blake and Matt Jansen formed an impressive partnership against Newcastle on Monday night.

Watching Bolton boss Sam Allardyce was particularly impressed with Jansen, who he said 'terrorised' the Magpies' defence with a stylish display.

And after bagging the Rovers equaliser, the player himself is now hoping for an extended run in the team.

"I was delighted to get my chance on Monday and now it's up to Tony whether I stay in the side or not," said Jansen.

"But I felt I did enough to keep my place.

"I haven't played a lot of games this season but I feel I've virtually got my match fitness back now.

"And I'd love the chance of a run in the side."

However, fellow striker Blake will walk a suspension tightrope against his former club tomorrow.

The Welsh international hit man, who joined Rovers from Wanderers in October 1998, is sure to get a hostile welcome on his return to The Reebok. But he will need to keep his cool as he is just one yellow card away from a ban.

Meanwhile, Parkes says he will not be going into the transfer market in a bid to find cover for injured skipper Lee Carsley.

The Republic of Ireland international is set to miss six weeks with a broken bone in his right foot.

But The Ewood chief is sticking by his current squad, which could mean key roles for the likes of Damien Johnson and David Dunn.

"We can't keep going into the transfer market every time we get an injury," said Parkes.

"We've got a big squad here with enough good players to cover and I'm confident they can do the job.

"It's disappointing to lose Lee but I don't want to make too big a thing of it because that's detrimental to the lads who will come in as his replacement."

Parkes is expecting another tough test tomorrow against a Bolton side who have not given up on promotion themselves.

But he is more concerned about how his own side prepare.

"It's going to be a tough game because they are close on our heels and also chasing a top six place.

"I think it's going to be fast and furious, played at 100 miles per hour, and I'm sure there'll be nothing given by either side. "But we need to get back on the rails after losing at Barnsley and there's no better place to do that than Bolton."

Defender Steve Harkness is suspended tomorrow after picking up a one match ban under the totting up rule.

Rovers from: Kelly, Grayson, Davidson, Peacock, Dailly, Johnson, McAteer, Frandsen, Duff, Blake, Jansen, Ostenstad, Short, Dunn, Broomes, Gillespie, Ward, Fettis.

Bolton from: Jaaskelainen, Holden, Bergsson, Whitlow, Ritchie, Elliott, Johnansen, Jensen, Warhurst, Gardener, Gardner, Holdsworth, Taylor, Gudjohnsen, Johnston, Farrelly, Phillips, Banks.

Former Blackburn Schoolboy Chris Holland is set to join Huddersfield from Birmingham in a £200,000 deal.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.