ASHLEY Ward looks set to return to the starting line-up for Blackburn Rovers against his old club Manchester City at Maine Road tomorrow.

And full back Jeff Kenna and winger Damien Johnson could also be available again as Rovers bid to end a bitterly-disappointing run of five matches without a win in a sellout clash which is also being beamed back to Ewood's giant TV screen.

Four of those matches have been in the League, where three successive draws have done little to enhance hopes that Rovers can climb into a promotion race now being led by City, who took over at the top of the First Division in midweek.

Ward, who has been 'rested' by Rovers boss Brian Kidd in the last two games, seems a certain starter. For he was badly missed in the home draw with Grimsby last Saturday and made a difference when he went on as a substitute against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

Kidd insists that Manchester-born Ward, whose career began as a trainee at Maine Road, needed a break as he had started to struggle.

The striker suffered a foot injury during the pre-season build-up so missed out on much of the fitness base.

But, as the squad's only natural 'leader' of the attack, Rovers need him in the side.

Kenna (groin strain) and Johnson, who was ill, both missed the Palace match but should be back in contention for tomorrow's encounter.

There were one or two other players feeling a little under the weather in midweek but the manager was hopeful that would not affect his plans for the City game.

Central defender Darren Peacock is still sidelined and, while that will not be a problem tomorrow, it will give Kidd cause for concern with next weekend in mind.

For he will have two centre halves, Craig Short and Martin Taylor, both suspended after being red carded last Saturday.

Tomorrow, Rovers are expected to choose from: Filan, Grayson, Short, Dailly, Davidson, Wilcox, Carsley, Frandsen, Duff, Blake, Jansen, Ward, Dunn, Ostenstad, Taylor, Kenna, Johnson, Kelly.

Rovers badly need to get back on the winning trail and Kidd would like nothing more than to start a run at Maine Road.

For he himself is a former City player and averaged almost a goal every two games during a successful spell with the club.

"I had three great years there and made a lot of friends. I always look forward to going back to Maine Road," said the Rovers manager. The home team's confidence will be high after going top but Kidd insists Rovers will treat the game the same as any other.

"They are all tough matches and we will not prepare any differently for Manchester City than we would for whoever is bottom of the league," he added.

"Our preparation doesn't change. We always try to get everything right."

City boss Joe Royle is anxious to try and boost his team's scoring potential and confirmed he has made an inquiry about Gillingham striker Robert Taylor, who once scored five goals in a game against Burnley.

But a possible deal is only at a very early stage and, for tomorrow's game, Royle is likely to recall striker Shaun Goater, who has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury.

Goater seems set to replace Gareth Taylor in the City line-up and, while there are suggestions they might also restore winger Terry Cooke to the side, other changes are unlikely considering City won at Birmingham in midweek to go top of the table.

City are expected to choose from: Weaver, Edghill, Granville, Morrison, Jobson, Horlock, Bishop, Jeff Whitley, Kennedy, Goater, Dickov, Taylor, Crooks, Cook, Allsopp, Wright, Tiatto.

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