BRIAN Kidd has had his options boosted by a midweek reserve team runout for several seniors, prior to tomorrow's crucial First Division clash with Queens Park Rangers at Ewood Park.

Central defender Darren Peacock, of course, is set to return against his old club because of bans for Craig Short and Martin Taylor.

But Rovers boss Kidd could also start with Jason McAteer for the first time since the beginning of May if he wishes - and he has others such as Damien Johnson and Steve Harkness now back and knocking on the door.

It can only help as Rovers look to end a frustrating run of six League matches without a win, though they have bossed most of their recent games and should have far more points to show for it.

The overall standard of those performances could mean that Kidd will continue to show faith in the same players - with the exception of the suspended Short - who should have been several goals ahead in the last two matches against Manchester City and Walsall before their opponents had scored.

For I know he has been boosted by the players' attitude and the way they have continued to work at training.

And many people feel there should be more consistency about team selection.

Kidd was also lifted by a number of fans at the club's training open day at Ewood yesterday.

It was another successful venture and several supporters, who had been to Walsall, commiserated with the manager - saying, more or less, that he could have done nothing more to set up victory.

"We have certainly created enough chances in the last few games and that gives you encouragement," said Kidd.

"But I know the game is about results and the fans, for one, deserve better.

"It goes without saying that we will be trying to give it to them.

"I feel for the players. They don't want to miss chances and I don't think they have had their just rewards.

"It's just unfortunate they haven't put their chances away." Co-incidentally, Peacock and Christian Dailly, tomorrow's likely pairing at the centre of defence, played together at QPR when Rovers drew 0-0 at the beginning of October.

Peacock damaged his knee in that game but he will have to play through necessity against Rangers and will be glad to have had the reserve outing.

The one senior doubt from the reserve win at Villa Park was Keith Gillespie, so it is unlikely he will figure in tomorrow's squad.

Reserve coach Terry Darracott was more than pleased with the performance of all the seniors who returned from injury and illness.

But he revealed that Gillespie had been taken off 15 minutes from the end as a precaution.

The right winger has been absent since last month with an ankle injury.

"He came off with 15 minutes to go because he felt a little bit stiff, which wasn't surprising," said Darracott. "So we took him off as a precaution."

Whether any of their performances are good enough to claim a place in Kidd's bid to clinch a long-awaited win remains to be seen.

Young central defender Keith Brown could be included on the bench in the absence of Short and Taylor. Rovers are set to choose from: Filan, Kenna, Peacock, Dailly, Davidson, Wilcox, Frandsen, Carsley, Duff, Ward, Jansen, Grayson, Ostenstad, McAteer, Dunn, Harkness, Johnson, Brown, Kelly.

Meanwhile, QPR boss Gerry Francis will be without influential midfielder Gavin Peacock for tomorrow's clash.

The former Newcastle and Chelsea star pulled a hamstring at West Brom last week and looks set to be a non-starter.

Former West Ham defender Tim Breaker is also out suspended.

And goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has still not recovered from the shoulder injury which kept him out of the Loftus Road clash earlier this month. Lee Harper will again deputise.

Francis will choose from: Harper, Darlington, Baraclough, Rose, Maddix, Ready, Langley, Wardley, Murray, Steiner, Kiwomya, Gallen, Jeanne, Rowland, Gallen, Morrow, Bankole.

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