DARREN Peacock looks as though he will be able to come charging to Brian Kidd's rescue after safely negotiating a full 90 minutes with the reserves last night.

The Blackburn Rovers boss has been sweating on Peacock recovering from a knee injury in time to return to the side for Saturday's home game against Queens Park Rangers - one of his former clubs.

But he proved his fitness at Aston Villa last night where he helped keep Stan Collymore and Paul Merson in check.

And reserve team boss Terry Darracott was set to report back favourably to manager Brian Kidd today.

"Darren Peacock came through very well and played the full 90 minutes," said Darracott.

"Both he and Martin Taylor dealt with a strong Villa side very well. I don't know whether Darren will be considered for Saturday or not - only the manager can answer that.

"But he certainly came through it okay and I'll be speaking to Brian Kidd about it today."

Coincidentally, it was against Rangers at Loftus Road earlier this month that the central defender damaged his knee, having to be substituted in the second half of a goalless draw.

But the pressure has been on for the past 10 days or so, as both Craig Short and Martin Taylor were sent off in the First Division game against Grimsby Town to pick up one-match bans.

Those suspensions will have to be served on Saturday, leaving Kidd with only one experienced central defender available in Christian Dailly, plus the returning Peacock. Fortunately, Dailly looked to be approaching his best form against Walsall at the Bescot Stadium in midweek, for Rangers possess a dangerous attack, including Rob Steiner who has already made an impression this season. If there are still doubts over Peacock's fitness, Kidd could well be forced to turn to young Keith Brown as an emergency measure.

And, if that happens, Rovers would be able to reflect on the Scottish starlet's recent loan spell at Barnsley as a very prudent move.

Brown played a handful of First Division games for the Tykes and that experience will prove invaluable if he is needed on Saturday.

Regular observers of Barnsley commented that the Ewood youngster was certainly worth his place in their side, so he should not be lacking in confidence if called upon. And those judgments were backed up when Oakwell boss Dave Bassett indicated that he would definitely like to sign the youngster on a permanent basis.

Rovers, however, were believed to be asking £500,000 for a player who has yet to appear at first team level at Ewood and that was out of Barnsley's price bracket.

But the Yorkshire club have, I am reliably informed, retained their interest in him.

A transfer could possibly be resurrected should the two clubs' valuations of the player come closer.

Rovers, meanwhile, were training at the main Ewood stadium today, enabling their young supporters to see the players in close-up during half term.

Admission was free and this training open day is a regular feature of the club's links with their supporters.

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