BRIAN Kidd believes his Blackburn Rovers squad is finally shaping up - but he hasn't necessarily finished spending.

The Ewood boss is now confident that he has managed to restore balance to the playing staff he inherited from Roy Hodgson.

But, while happy with what he has got following nine months of wheeling and dealing, he revealed there are still one or two positions he would like to strengthen.

And the financial facts, since Kidd took charge in December, confirm that he should have the spending power to do it.

For, as well as the squad, Kidd has also balanced the books - buying 11 players for almost £22 million and selling a similar number for virtually the same amount.

"I have a real good feeling now and the pleasing thing is that there is competition for places," said Kidd.

"There won't be anybody thinking they are an automatic choice and we had to put up with that last season.

"I still believe it's a rebuilding job. There are one or two spots where I would be looking just to raise it a little bit without going crazy.

"But it's near enough with decent quality in there. "And we haven't overspent. We're in the black. I know that you can't be earning £100 a week and spending £110. That's just good housekeeping."

Considering the pledges made after relegation, Kidd should still be in a strong position to buy if he wants.

Rovers do retain an interest in Benfica left back Steve Harkness and the Robbie Blake situation cannot be considered 'dead' until the Bradford striker finds a new club - wherever.

But the manager himself might also be looking to move a couple more players out.

"When I came in there was a bit of unrest and players have gone for various reasons," he said.

"We have had to rebuild simply to replace players like Chris Sutton and Stephane Henchoz, who had clauses in their contracts, and Tim Sherwood was a wee bit down the line with whatever problem he had at the club.

"There were also the injury problems but we are getting the players back together, training and playing again, and, hopefully, that's behind me now.

"I know this season is not going to be easy but I am confident we are going to get where I want us to be - I hope sooner rather than later.

"A couple of results will give the team confidence and we will turn things our way because I can see a lot of positive aspects."

The board have backed Kidd so far and he has kept the door open for the likes of Kevin Gallacher, explaining that he is not in a position to offer the Scot a new contract at the moment.

So Gallacher still has a chance if he wants to stay and try to impress the manager.

Behind the scenes, the 'team' has been strengthened by part-time sports nutrition expert Nick Broad.

Kidd believes it is an important appointment. "If you can make a player a couple of per cent better it's worth it," he said.

"Once they leave the training ground, they still have to look after themselves and they can benefit too.

"If you think about it, an extra year on a player's contract because of how he has looked after himself can be like winning the pools for the ordinary man in the street."

The return of players from injury has lifted Kidd and it looked likely that Ashley Ward would face Barnsley this afternoon.

Ward points to all the changes which have taken place but feels, if the fans are patient, Rovers will soon be heading the right way.

"That's the pressure on a player, the fans are always the least patient because they are paying to go in and, understandably, they want a result from that game they have gone to watch - not in a few games time," said the much-missed striker.

"A lot of new players have come in and it takes people time to gel togerther.

"Anybody involved at a football club knows that. "But you can see the strength of the squad and the competition for places in all departments.

"You just know that results are going to follow soon.

"Obviously it would have been nice to set off well and have six points already. That in itself gives you more confidence.

"But I don't think there are any doubts in the squad about being able to achieve what everybody wants."

Ward will leave this afternoon's selection decision to his manager, adding: "In terms of physical fitness I'm okay. But, obviously, I am short of match practice."

Bookings are still being taken for the Rovers Community keepers and strikers coaching course at Wilworth and Woolridge pitches on Thursday, and the girls only soccer school at the BRIC on Friday. Telephone 01254-296256 for more details.

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