SENIOR strikers Ashley Ward and Kevin Gallacher will be forced to sit out the opening game of Blackburn Rovers' pre-season Scandinavian tour against IFK Gothenburg this evening - adding to manager Brian Kidd's injury worries.

Rovers left their Norweigan training base in Fredrikstad just after lunchtime today to cross over into Sweden and travel south to the coastal resort of Grebbestad which is staging the game.

But, before a light training session this morning, Kidd had resigned himself to losing his two most experienced strikers for a game against Swedish giants IFK, who have fallen on hard times of late.

"Ashley got a whack on the foot in training and his instep is very tender, although he is still able to put in some running," said the Rovers boss.

"And Kevin has an infected blister so we will probably be without both of them.

"We have lost a bit of experience which is a pity but there is no point in taking any chances."

Even though he was forced to leave several senior players behind when the squad flew to Oslo earlier this week, Kidd still has two established front players available in Kevin Davies and Matt Jansen, who were set to link-up as a new strike partnership.

At a pinch, there are other players in the 22-man squad who could fill in up front and have done in games of more importance in the past. As Kidd stressed, the trip is primarily about preparation and most, if not all, the players who have travelled can expect to see some action if possible.

"It's a fitness exercise, it's all about preparation for the season and I am looking at the bigger picture," said Kidd.

On a more positive note, David McNamee - one of two teenagers signed from St Mirren last season - is likely to start, probably as a wing back with Rovers opting for three central defenders.

That will enable Kidd to ease Christian Dailly back into action after the defender missed the second half of last season with injury.

Garry Flitcroft, out since October with a knee problem which required surgery, will have to wait for his return as the manager is anxious not to push the midfielder too hard following his long absence.

Kidd intended to finalise his team after training.

Gothenburg are not, at the moment, the force they once were. But they expect to provide Rovers with a stern test.

The side that enjoyed some great nights on the big European stage not so long ago are struggling in mid-table of the Swedish League at the moment.

Once studded with star names they have lost two coaches through resignation in the last 12 months and are under the temporary charge of assistant coach Stefan Lundin.

They are expected to field their strongest available side as they are desperate to recapture some form before their league season restarts after the current break.

The game is being staged in a picturesque part of Sweden about 60 miles north of Gothenburg.

Grebbestad comes alive in summer when tourists flock there in their thousands.

In winter it reverts to a fishing village with just a few hundred permanent residents.

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