EWOOD'S crippling injury list could force Blackburn Rovers to look again at a utility player such as Aston Villa's Simon Grayson as a possible transfer target.

And the latest injury blow, to Darren Peacock, will focus attention on Sheffield Wednesday central defender Emerson Thome, whose name has already come under consideration.

But manager Brian Kidd is also known to be looking elsewhere as he attempts to shore up a squad that is still suffering a massive injury hangover from last season.

Grayson is expected to be on his way out of Villa Park and, with the versatile Jason McAteer still some way off being fit, could be seen as an answer to part of the problems.

McAteer damaged nerve ends in his calf in the later stages of last season and, while they are gradually growing back, he is obviously still some weeks away from being ready.

Rovers have already missed out on two central defenders who could have done a job in Riccardo Scimeca and David Wetherall.

But they cannot afford to hang around and need to make at least a couple of signings as soon as possible.

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