MATT Jansen was due to have further medical checks today, following the blow he took to the ribs during Saturday's opening First Division clash with Port Vale.

The striker had to be substituted during the second half of the game and, while there is nothing to suggest he has broken anything, he sat out training yesterday still feeling the effects.

"We are having him looked at and there is some concern," said Blackburn Rovers boss Brian Kidd, who can ill afford to lose yet another player to injury.

"Hopefully we will know more tomorrow when things have had the chance to settle down."

As well as Jansen, central defender Craig Short, who took a kick on the shin, was unable to join the rest of the squad yesterday when Rovers played a training game against Manchester City at Brockhall yesterday afternoon.

It gave players such as Garry Flitcroft, Nathan Blake and Jeff Kenna the chance to play in a higher tempo than just routine training as they try to step up their comeback bids.

Although it was used as a training session rather than a serious game, with City having a Worthington Cup tie against Burnley tomorrow, Kidd was pleased with it.

"It was a very useful exercise for both clubs," he said after a 1-1 draw.

While Rovers' concern focuses on Jansen, there are few signs of another striker - Bradford City's Robbie Blake - being any nearer to an Ewood transfer.

If the stalemate persists much longer, Rovers may well be forced to turn their attentions elsewhere in a bid to add to their squad.

Bradford, meanwhile, have withdrawn a fine imposed on transfer-listed Blake following the players' comments to the press on July 27.

Blake appealed against the penalty and the club have released a statement which said: "Following discussions with the PFA (Professional Footballers Association) the club have withdrawn the fine of one week's wages imposed on Robbie Blake following a breach of club rules in connection to speaking to the press without permission.

"The club is grateful to Brendan Batson of the PFA for his assistance in this matter and in particular for his promise to speak to the player with regards his future compliance with his contract."

I understand that Blake made his comments after being told by a reporter - rather than the club - that he had been placed on the transfer list by Bradford.

Even though the fine has been withdrawn, he remains on the list and was not in City's starting line-up at Middlesbrough on Saturday. But Rovers seem unlikely to increase their £2.5 million bid, which has been rejected, and Bradford appear intent on sticking to their higher valuation.

Rovers' Bank Holiday Monday game against Bolton Wanderers at Ewood looks certain to be called off because of international calls from the Republic of Ireland.

Five Ewood players, including the injured Jason McAteer, have been put on stand-by for the Republic's re-arranged Euro 2000 qualifier against Yugoslavia on Wednesday, September 1.

Irish boss Mick McCarthy is set to name his squad at the end of next week and, barring late shocks, Rovers will have the minimum three players involved allowing them to postpone the Bolton game on Monday, August 30, which had been scheduled for Sky TV.

As the Yugoslavia fixture has been re-arranged, the five-day call-up rule is unlikely to apply, so Rovers expect their match at Norwich on Saturday, August 28, to go ahead - the players reporting for international duty the following day. The Republic face a testing programme. After Yugoslavia in Dublin, they visit Croatia (Sep 4) and Malta (Sep 8), with Alan Kelly, Lee Carsley, Damien Duff and Jeff Kernna all expected to be involved.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.