Brian's kids

BRIAN Kidd is ready to launch his young guns against Fredrikstad as Blackburn Rovers round off their Scandinavian tour here in Norway tonight.

The Rovers boss, whose pre-season plans continue to be hit by injury problems, has also had to contend with a virus among the party.

And that could mean Rovers sending out possibly their youngest-ever representative side for a senior fixture against the Norwegians.

There could be four or even five teenagers in the starting line-up, with Martin Taylor, Jimmy Corbett, David McNamee and David Dunn all looking set to start against Fredrikstad.

And another, Leam Richardson, who was promoted from the youth ranks to go on the trip with the seniors, is also likely to make his senior bow.

"We'll have a roll call after training today," said Kidd at the club's Fredrikstad base.

"There are one or two niggles and this virus concerns me."

Matt Jansen and Darren Peacock were the two main victims of the 'bug' which infiltrated the camp and the manager is anxious not to make others vulnerable by working them too hard.

Lee Carsley and Kevin Davies, for example, have already played two full matches without a break.

"Apart from the games, everyone has worked really hard in training so we have to be careful not to ask too much of them," added the manager.

Half of the 20-man squad Kidd still has with him in Norway are aged 23 or under. And, remarkably, seven of those 10 players are still under 21.

It is not something that worries the manager, because he has great faith in their ability.

But, for the sterner tests ahead, he knows how crucial experience will be.

"The kids should be okay and it's all part of the preparation," he said.

"It would be nice if we had all the lads available but things are still hanging over us from last season as well.

"Still, it will be good indicator of how we are looking in the long term.

"I said before we left that they were likely to get a game because of the make-up of the squad.

"What they really need is a bit of experience around them.

"But, long term, we have some lovely talent at Rovers, providing they get the proper development.

"And that means how you work them in training as well.

"I believe we are very fortunate to have a nucleus of young talent and, not just that, it's British talent as well."

In contrast, Kidd might also take the plunge with Jeff Kenna and give him a brief taste of the action.

Kenna, who has not played for months after Achilles tendon surgery, has been stepping up his training here in Fredrikstad and confirmed that things have gone well.

Whether to use Kenna - maybe as a substitute - will be a late decision for the manager after today's training session. In theory, Fredrikstad, where Rovers have been based throughout their stay, should be the weakest of the three teams they arranged to meet.

They are midway in their regionalised Norwegian Second Division table but they are a club of proud traditions.

At one stage, a few decades back, they were the dominant force in Norwegian football picking up trophies for fun.

They are known throughout the country as "the last aristocrats" of the game here because of the reputation they established.

But hard times have followed for the club where ex-Rover Tore Pedersen, who hails from Fredrikstad, began his career.

From a confidence point of view, it would be encouraging for Rovers to claim another good result.

But their hosts will be eager to succeed where the likes of IFK Gothenburg and Lillestrom failed.

Most important of all, however, is to come through injury free.

Meanwhile, Rovers are waiting for reports on the fitness of Garry Flitcroft and Ashley Ward. Both men returned home early from Norway as they are not yet ready to play matches.

Rovers have also called off tomorrow's reserve team game at Bolton's training ground as a precaution in view of the injury and virus situation with the senior players.

The latest Double Your Money winner is A Lyons of Morecambe (No. 818).

Rovers away travel are running coaches to the pre-season friendlies against Blackpool (Saturday, July 24, kick-off 3pm), and at Oldham Athletic (Tuesday, July 27, k.o. 7.30pm).

The cost is £7.50 and for further details, contact: 01254 296208.

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