GARRY Flitcroft had his first match action for 10 long months last night and immediately declared: 'I want more.'

The midfielder, expected to be a key part of Blackburn Rovers boss Brian Kidd's plans this season, made his long-awaited comeback as a substitute against Unibond League side Radcliffe Borough.

And, in just under 40 minutes on the pitch, did enough to show that he is on the verge of being ready to make a welcome return.

Whether Kidd feels Saturday's opening League game against Port Vale is too soon remains to be seen.

For the Ewood boss is counselling caution with Flitcroft, after being absent for so long, as well as others like Jeff Kenna - given another 45 minutes - and Nathan Blake who played for just over an hour in his first game since surgery at the end of last season.

But Flitcroft is eager to hear the call back to senior action after so long on the sidelines.

And he could hardly have done more than last night when he looked fit and sharp, tackled and put in goal attempts in a 6-1 win for a Rovers X1, which was meant to be a reserve side but which turned out to be a 'test' squad for several seniors.

"I had no problems at all, I felt fine and I just want to play," said the midfielder who had to miss out on the official pre-season friendlies for the first team as he continued his rehabilitation from surgery.

"It has been 10 months and I am hungry for it.

"I just want to be involved, hopefully on Saturday, but that is up to the manager. The gaffer and the physio have been careful with me but I think adrenaline will get me through.

"I felt I tried everything last night. It was a good game for me, I now want to play again and, hopefully, the manager will not keep me out too long. "There are a lot of young lads in the squad and they need a few of the experienced players in there with them."

Knowing Kidd, he is likely to err on the side of caution if anything, stressing that he wants his long-term absentees back for a 10-month season rather than 10 days.

But Flitcroft did look capable of playing some part from the off.

He put in tackles, took command from the moment he went on early in the second half, rattled a post with a shot and had a powerful header cleared off the line.

It would certainly have been enough to bring a smile to the manager's face, as would the fact that Kenna came through another half with no ill effects and Blake got himself back into match action.

"I was always going to have just 45 minutes," said Kenna. "But I that's probably the best I've felt since I came back.

"It's up to the manager now."

Blake was also happy to be back. "It's just a question of getting games now," he said.

"Training is no problem and, though I felt my ankle a little, that was just because the pitch was a bit bobbly. I felt fine."

The Rovers boss went to spy on Manchester City in their friendly against Liverpool.

But his lieutenants, Tony Parkes and Brian McClair, were both there to see the long-term comeback men along with Keith Gillespie, who got a full game behind him. And events in downtown Radcliffe showed a distinct turn for the better in Rovers' fortunes on the injury side.

For the record, Jimmy Corbett and substitute James Thomas grabbed a second-half hat-trick apiece after ex-Rover Tony Whealing had given Radcliffe an first-half lead as they kicked down the substantial slope.

Previously, the 'reserves' had beaten Darlington 3-1 and won 4-2 at Ashton United. They also drew 0-0 at Blackpool in what had been originally scheduled as a senior game.

John Filan and Alan Kelly also shared the goalkeeping duties in preparation for Saturday's opener against Port Vale.

Bradford City's signing of ex-Liverpool forward Dean Saunders will not spark off a move to Rovers for transfer-listed striker Robbie Blake.

Ewood chief executive John Williams confirmed today that Rovers will not be upping their bid, in the region of £2.5 million, for the 23-year-old and that the situation is at stalemate.

Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond has re-iterated that Blake will not be allowed to leave for that figure and expects the player to remain part of the Bantams plans and produce the goods in the Premiership if he wants to secure a move.

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