BRIAN Kidd's team plans are still in the melting pot for tomorrow's First Division bow against Port Vale at Ewood Park.

But the Blackburn Rovers boss, awaiting the outcome of final fitness checks on players like Matt Jansen and Craig Short, is ready to meet the new challenge - and believes his squad is in a similar frame of mind.

Jansen, who missed the final friendly against Liverpool with knee and ankle problems - not serious - should be given the all-clear.

And Kidd will also be hoping for good news over Short, who was able to complete his £2.1 million move from Everton, despite a slight calf strain.

How much that has improved will determine whether the central defender is able to make his Rovers debut.

The role Kidd hands to another new boy Simon Grayson, midfield or full back, could well influence whether he goes with a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation. Both are possible.

But, whatever the shape of Rovers' line-up and, despite his long-term injuries, the manager is eager to get up and running. "I am really looking forward to the challenge," he said.

"It takes time but I think there is already a feeling here of what we are trying to build and develop at the club.

"And the players are well aware of the challenge and the demands that are ahead of them."

Kidd is resigned to being without a host of players and is faced with the decision of whether to risk the likes of Garry Flitcroft and Jeff Kenna.

But he has made it clear he is not one for taking unnecessary chances with recovering players who have been out for so long, even though Flitcroft made such an impressive return to match action as a substitute in midweek.

And he will also be wary of throwing Jeff Kenna into the fray from the start, as the full back has yet to complete a full match following surgery earlier this year.

Neither look far away, but tomorrow's game might be just a shade too early. There is always the possibility of the bench.

Rovers look like choosing their starting line-up from: Filan, Croft, Dailly, Broomes, Short, Davidson, Gillespie, Johnson, Dunn, Carsley, Grayson, Wilcox, Duff, Jansen, Davies, Gallacher, Kelly.

Kidd also confirmed today that Jason Wilcox will skipper the side against Vale, saying: "He is our longest serving player, knows what it's all about and was captain at the end of last season."

Wilcox was delighted and said: "I don't know how long this is for but it is a privilege and an honour to start the season as captain. "I will be proud to wear the armband and the Blackburn shirt and that will go for the other 10 players as well."

Port Vale have lost two players through suspension. Both striker Martin Foyle, who had a loan spell at Ewood in the mid-eighties, and new midfielder Tommy Widdrington begin three-match bans.

Manager Brian Horton could give a debut to another summer signing Jeff Minton, who scored nine goals for Brighton last season.

Vale are expected to choose from: Musselwhite, Pilkington, Donnelly, Briscoe, Brammer, Walsh, Gardner, Carragher, Minton, Barker, Eyre, Smith, O'Callaghan, Bent, Rougier, Griffiths, Naylor, Bogie.

Ewood keeper Anthony Williams has gone out on loan again, this time to Second Division Gillingham who could be interested in making the move permanent.

He has signed for a month and Rovers have a clause allowing instant recall should he be needed for first team duties.

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