STEVE Harkness is clocking up the miles at Brockhall - but isn't ready yet to step up to Ewood Park duty.

Harkness is still to make his Rovers debut following a £500,00 move from Benfica a fortnight ago and won't be ready to face Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

But manager Brian Kidd isn't concerned about that, placing his emphasis on getting the former Liverpool defender in the right shape to tackle the 40-match schedule he should be available for.

"He's not ready for a game yet. It's a 10-month programme and we want him to get a good base," Kidd confrmed.

"I think it's the same with all the players in the Benfica situation. We've been working on his condition. Unfortunately Steve's had to do a pre-season.

"We are looking at him this week and he's going quite well, but like everybody he needs a base."

While Harkness continues his build-up at Rovers' Brockhall training ground, Darren Peacock is homing in on a first-team comeback.

Peacock will continue his return from a knee injury in Blackburn's reserves tonight when they take on Everton at the Widnes Rugby League ground, kick-off 7pm.

The central defender is yet to play this term after picking up a knock in pre-season but provided he suffers no reaction tonight, he could return to the senior squad for Saturday's game. "Darren will have a bit of game tonight and we will have a look. But he's back in training with us which is good news," Kidd said.

Garry Flitcroft played alongside Peacock in the reserves last week but he won't be fit to face John Aldridge's Tranmere.

"He's not quite ready. He's still just a bit short," added the Rovers boss, who is also reckoning without Billy McKinlay and Jason McAteer for the foreseeable future as they work their way back to fitnes with the club's phsyio staff.

"Once they have finished their remedial work they will need two or three weeks football with us," Kidd confirmed.

Meanwhile, Rovers are letting two of their young players get a taste of Nationwide League action with loan moves.

Defender Keith Brown is joining First Division rivals Barnsley, while midfield man Andy McAvoy has linked up with Hartlepool. "It's just to give them some experience," stated Kidd, who said no long-term moves were planned.

Rovers defender Callum Davidson could return to the international stage tomorrow night for Scotland's Group Nine Euro 2000 qualifier in Estonia.

Davidson missed the Scots' 2-1 win over Bosnia on Saturday through a one-match ban.

But he could return if manager Craig Brown is forced to shuffle his pack in the absence of injury doubt David Hopkin as the Scots chase a play-off berth.

Rovers Res squad: Fettis, Croft, Murphy, Scates, Peacock, Taylor, Corbett, Gill, Hamilton, Blake, O'Brien, Bingham, Fitzpatrick, McNamee, Thomas, Richardson.

Tickets for the first leg of Rovers' Worthington Cup second round tie at Portsmouth on Tuesday, September 14 go on sale today, priced £13 adults and £6 others.

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