STEVE Harkness has been hit by the Ewood injury jinx - ruled out of contention for tomorrow's home game with Walsall after being hurt on his full debut for Blackburn Rovers in midweek.

And Rovers boss Brian Kidd is also set to be without winger Keith Gillespie, like Harkness a victim of ankle problems in the Worth ington Cup victory over Portsmouth.

But at least Kidd will have latest signing Per Frandsen in the frame following his capture from First Division rivals Bolton Wanderers.

The full extent of the injuries to Harkness and Gillespie was still being assessed today.

But both appeared to have ankle ligament damage, with Harkness the more seriously hurt and facing up to an absence of several weeks if the worst fears are concerned.

On a more positive note, at least x-rays after the game on Wednesday night showed there was nothing broken.

"You usually have to wait around 48 hours until the injuries settle down before knowing the full details," said Kidd.

"Hopefully we will know more later today when the doctor has had another look at them."

Rovers will have to do without both players for the visit of Walsall.

But they have plenty of others to recall after fielding a much-changed side to complete the formality of a two-leg cup win over Portsmouth.

And one man who looks set to start the game is new midfielder Frandsen, unless Kidd was to decide his latest acquisition needed longer to settle in to his new surroundings. The move from the Reebok to Ewood came somewhat out of the blue for the Danish international and, understandably, left him with mixed feelings.

For he believes he would not have been sold but for Bolton's cash crisis.

"I'm delighted in one sense because it's a good move," he said.

"If I could not get into the Premiership, Blackburn is probably the strongest team on paper with the best chance of getting there.

"It also means I can still stay here in the Bolton area where the kids can be happy at school.

"But I had great years at Bolton. If they hadn't had financial problems I don't think they would have sold me.

"Now it's going to be strange playing against Bolton.

"I'm not sure but, from what I hear, they have to sell more players.

"They can't get players in and, at the moment, it doesn't look like a club with much ambition.

"They can't even spend the money they have got for me."

Frandsen made Bolton a hefty profit with a £1.75 million initial fee from Rovers and another potential £500,000 depending on appearances.

He was signed from FC Copenhagen in July 1996 for just £300,000 and became Bolton's midfield driving force with a series of consistent performances.

But, even though Colin Todd resigned as manager in the wake of Frandsen's departure, the Dane denied he had any responsibility for the boss's exit. Rovers are sure to make changes tomorrow as Kidd has switched the squad around for the Worthington Cup matches - resting some players and making sure that others got a much-needed taste of action.

Players such as Ashley Ward, Lee Carsley, Jason Wilcox, Callum Davidson and Christian Dailly will all be back in contention as well, of course, as Frandsen.

Craig Short and Marlon Broomes, who have both been suffering from hamstring problems, should be back in the frame before too long.

Rovers seem likely to choose the starting line-up from: Filan, Kelly, Kenna, Grayson, Peacock, Dailly, Taylor, Davidson, Johnson, Frandsen, Dunn, Carsley, Duff, Wilcox, Ostenstad, Ward, Blake, Jansen.

Walsall will probably choose from: Walker, Marsh, Barrass, Roper, Pointon, Wrack, Bukran, Keates, Mavrak, Ricketts, Robins, Brissett, Eyjolfsson, Viveash, Larusson, Green, Carter, Keister, Emberson.

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