BRIAN Kidd's hopes of adding Bradford City's Robbie Blake to his squad in time for next week's big kick against Port Vale have hit a major stumbling block in the Premiership club's valuation of the transfer-listed striker.

Blackburn Rovers chief executive John Williams admitted for the first time today that the club had made a bid for Blake - understood to be in the region of £2-2.5 million..

But Bradford are believed to have slapped a price tag on the player of double that amount.

That will force Rovers, reluctant to continue previous policy of paying way over the odds for players, to look elsewhere - unless there is an about-turn in Bradford's thinking.

"We have made a bid," admitted Williams today.

"But it clearly is not of their valuation and I expect that to be the end of the matter."

Bradford, who placed Blake on the transfer list because he would not sign a new contract with them, may well have to back down on their demands.

But, by then, Kidd could have targeted another player.

While Blake now goes on the back-burner, Rovers expect to complete the £675,000 signing of goalkeeper Alan Kelly from Sheffield United.

It is now subject only to medicals with Kelly replacing Tim Flowers who has finalised his £1.5 million move to Leicester. The Filbert Street club were expected to hold a Press conference today with Flowers possibly flying out to join their squad in Greece for a four-team tournament this weekend.

The arrival of Kelly puts another question mark over Alan Fettis's future at Ewood.

Instead of stepping up to become the number two keeper, he is now destined to remain at number three in the order.

Kelly is unlikely to be involved in tomorrow's final pre-season friendly with Liverpool at Ewood - though it's a possibility if the deal is successfully concluded.

Kidd might be without striker Matt Jansen, who took kicks on the knee and ankle at Oldham, for tomorrow's game.

John Filan will have a fitness test on his ankle injury but £1 million signing Simon Grayson seems likely to make his debut.

Grayson explained today that Kidd had 'sold' the move to Rovers so well to him that everything had been sorted out very quickly.

"Everything went smoothly and Brian Kidd really impressed me," he said.

"He told me his plans for the club and he was very positive about what he wants to achieve.

"He made me feel very welcome and ready to sign for him. It didn't take long to agree terms and I was really pleased how quickly it was done. "My chances of playing were limited at Aston Villa and I felt it was time to move on.

"I feel that Blackburn are one of the favourites to go back up and, hopefully, we will be in the Premiership this time next year.

"This club is geared to the Premiership."

Grayson should be fit enough as he has played a couple of pre-season games, even though he pulled out of Villa's New York trip because of his transfer situation.

He has also trained for two days with his new team-mates.

"I hope I can play against Liverpool.

"It will be a reminder of what everyone is missing in the Premiership because that is where everyone wants to be."

Rovers will be hoping to complete an unbeaten pre-season build-up at Ewood tomorrow but Liverpool, with a number of new faces, will provide their toughest test by far.

The Anfield side were travelling back from Oslo today after beating Valerenga 4-1 last night and will not finalise their squad to face Rovers until later.

There is a doubt over former Ewood star Stephane Henchoz who has been training after having groin surgery earlier in the summer.

He was not involved last night and may be held back until Tuesday, when Liverpool meet Manchester City.

All adult tickets bought on the day of the game tomorrow are £12 (juniors and oaps £6).

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