MARK Draper is not at the top of Blackburn Rovers' wanted list, despite continuing reports in the West Midlands that the Aston Villa midfield man is about to move to Ewood.

Rovers, it seems, have yet to decide whether to plunge back into the transfer market following Garry Flitcroft's latest setback - and, if they do, their target remains unknown.

But manager Brian Kidd's midfield resources are still lightweight and he has little room for manouevre while Jason McAteer and Billy McKinlay are absent.

The capture of another experienced midfield player would remove much of the anxiety over that position.

Admittedly, in the long term, Rovers could be seen as overstaffed. But it is now they need players to maintain the momentum their recent unbeaten run has started.

And there is still no sign of McAteer or McKinlay being ready for a first-team return.

Villa boss John Gregory said he had not had any contact from Rovers but he is prepared to sell Draper who is anxious to get a move away from Villa Park.

Despite that situation, however, it seems Rovers will look elsewhere if they decide to spend.

One transfer expected to go through today was that of Gary Croft to Ipswich for a package deal of £800,000.

The former England under-21 defender was taking medical examinations in London before finalising the deal.

Everything else seemed to be agreed over the weekend but Croft has had recurring problems with a back injury in the past and Ipswich would not be prepared to take any chances. Rovers bought Croft from Grimsby for £1 million, with the potential for another £500,000, in March 1996.

But, under different managers, he has never really established himself as a regular at Ewood.

His most consistent run in the side came in the 1997-98 season when Rovers qualified for Europe under Roy Hodgson.

Birmingham are also believed to have been interested in Croft - possibly in a loan deal - but, after speaking to Ipswich boss George Burley, the player was happy to move to Portman Road.

Meanwhile, Bradford City striker Robbie Blake finally looks as though he could be on his way out of Valley Parade.

But, having signed Egil Ostenstad since they first made a bid for contract rebel Blake, it would be a major surprise if Rovers were to re-awaken their interest.

The striker was omitted from Bradford's 17-man squad for their weekend game after a dreadful performance in midweek against Reading.

Craig Short could be out for 10-14 days with a hamstring strain but Rovers will know more after he has been fully examined today.

Meanwhile, Ashley Ward was denied one of the most blatant penalties you could ever see at The Hawthorns on Saturday. And the Rovers striker simply couldn't understand why referee Clive Wilkes failed to give a spot kick which could have clinched all three points for Brian Kidd's side at 3-1.

In some respects, it was a re-run of the obvious penalty Rovers also failed to get at Charlton in the relegation scrap at the end of last season.

Only this time three opposing players had a go at Ward not just one.

"He (the referee) was 10 yards away from it and I just hope he's made an honest mistake," said Ward.

"Everybody makes mistakes but it keeps costing us.

Rovers under-19 Academy team made it four wins out of four by smashing Middlesbrough 6-1 at Brockhall, after trailing to an early goal. They hit back to stand 2-1 up at the interval before overpowering the visitors in the second half.

Scorers were Steve Foster (2), Stuart Howson, Jon Douglas, Ben Burgess and Paul Forsyth.

The under-17s drew 2-2 at Middlesbrough after taking a 2-0 lead through schoolboy Andy Bell and Mark Byrne. They were denied by a late equaliser.

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