GARRY Flitcroft will be out of action for another four months after undergoing more knee surgery last night.

And that will blow a huge hole in Blackburn Rovers manager Brian Kidd's already-depleted midfield resources.

He had hoped that Flitcroft would be able to return to full first-team action sooner rather than later.

But rumours that there were further problems with his knee have been mounting and Kidd admitted today that the player had been forced to have an operation.

On a positive note, club doctor Phil Batty stressed that the midfielder's long-term hopes of finally shaking off the injury problems which have dogged him for almost a year are now looking good.

Flitcroft had been having problems with excessive fluid on the knee whenever he tried to make a comeback.

When it became clear that the situation was not getting any better, it was decided to operate and he now faces at least one month's complete rest and a probable four months out of action.

Dr Batty explained: "We had to have a look inside his knee to ascertain the problem with the excessive fluid.

"The cartilage which was repaired was quite good and the rest of the knee was better than anticipated.

"It was decided to remove some of the synovial membrane, because of the fluid, with everything being done in the player's best long-term interests.

"He will have to rest his knee, with no irritation, for the next month." Flitcroft was originally expected to be back last February after surgery in October but Dr Batty added that because of the recurring problems, they had been forced to look at a long-term solution.

The player attempted a comeback at Huddersfield and then started the game against Barnsley.

But he has continually suffered reaction. Hopefully this latest surgery will sort things out but Rovers are going to miss him for the bulk of the season.

Kidd will also need to hold a fitness parade before sorting out his squad to face unbeaten West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

Jeff Kenna and David Dunn both reported problems after Tuesday's Worthington Cup success at Portsmouth - Rovers' third win in a row - to join a lengthy list of players who were being checked out today.

Kenna picked up a 'dead leg', while Dunn has been suffering from a stomach bug.

With several seniors carrying knocks and one or two others sitting out the cup tie because of a virus problem, the Rovers boss will be hoping there are no further complications.

His greatest concern will be midfielder Lee Carsley and is hoping that he will be fit enough to return at West Brom.

Egil Ostenstad, Jason Wilcox, Simon Grayson, Kevin Gallacher and Damien Duff were all carrying knocks and left behind at Ewood.

Carsley and Craig Short were virus victims and John Filan was rested.

So Kidd will have plenty of food for thought, once he has determined who is fit enough to be in contention to face an Albion side who are seventh in the table and have drawn all three home games so far.

There was a bonus for the manager in that he was able to give Steve Harkness a short run out as a substitute on Tuesday. That was the former Benfica man's first outing since the end of last season, though he is unlikely to be considered for a start just yet as he needs a full pre-season preparation.

Meanwhile, Nathan Blake was praised by Portsmouth skipper Jason Cundy, following keeper Aaron Flavahan's collapse during Tuesday's Worthington Cup tie.

The Rovers striker was first on the scene when Flavahan just fell head first to the ground with no-one near him in a bizarre incident.

"I saw Nathan running towards the keeper so I went to cover the goal," said Cundy.

"Then we realised the keeper had gone over and the first thing Nathan did was to leave the ball and go and pick the keeper up and try to get him in the recovery position.

"It was the only thing on his mind.

"The ball was a complete irrelevance. Nathan was very professional. He was a credit to his club."

A statement from Portsmouth said Flavahan had suffered a drop in blood pressure which caused him to faint.

He suffered in a similar way in a match against Swindon a year ago but they hope the problem can be treated by medication before games.

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