BLACKBURN Rovers were today rocked by another injury blow to midfielder Lee Carsley.

Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy was set to send the former Derby man for an X-ray on the foot injury he picked up at Swindon last week.

And, if the examination reveals any serious damage, then West Brom midfielder Andy Townsend will take Carlsey's place in the Republic squad for their crucial Euro 2000 qualifier with Macedonia.

The news comes as another blow to manager Brian Kidd who has already seen his midfield resources decimated by injuries to Billy McKinlay, Jason McAteer and Garry Flitcroft during the last six months.

Carsley picked up the injury after making a block tackle in last Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at the County Ground.

And though he still managed to play a full 90 minutes in Saturday's 0-0 draw at QPR, Rovers boss Brian Kidd revealed he had to have pain-killing injections on the injury before the match.

"Lee has gone to Ireland and they will obviously have to have a closer look at him over there," said Kidd. "We'll have to wait and see what the problem is.

"Dave Fevre wanted to bring him in for some treatment yesterday. But we had to pass him over with it being international week." Meanwhile, Kidd was fairly happy with the point against Rangers, although he admitted it wasn't a brilliant performance.

"You know to expect a really tough game against one of Gerry's teams and that's exactly how it turned out.

"Carsley's ankle and foot were sore and I had to be careful with him so were were a little bit protective with him there.

"But we opened it up more in the second half after we brought Damien Duff on. And I think you've got to be satisfied with a point from there.

"I thought we looked the stronger team at the end."

Rovers survived one heart-stopping minute in the first half when keeper John Filan got in a tangle with Chris Kiwomya as he bore in on goal.

But referee John Kirkby decided not to reach for the red card and Kidd believed the official got it right.

"I would have been surprised if people thought that was a sending off because if anything I thought John Filan was favourite for it," said Kidd.

Rovers' under-19 academy side extended their 100 per cent record this season with their sixth straight win against Sheffield Wednesday. A hat-trick from Steve Foster and a Paul Forsyth goal wrapped up a 4-1 success.

The under-17s beat Wednesday 3-2, which means they have lost just once in six games. Mark Byrne and England international Andy Bell were on target for Rovers with an own-goal completing their tally.

Four schoolboy academy players on the Rovers books have received international call-ups. Striker Andy Bell and midfielder Ciaran Donnelly have been called up to the England under-15 squad for their forthcoming Victory Shield home international campaign.

Goalkeeper Keiron Renton is in the Scotland under-15 party which kicks off against Wales this week. And central defender Anthony Martin has been picked by the Republic of Ireland under-16s.

Kevin Gallacher made his Newcastle debut in the Tyne-Tees derby against Middlesbrough yesterday.

The Scot did not get on the scoresheet but his former Ewood team-mate Alan Shearer scored twice in a 2-1 win.

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