BLACKBURN Rovers' pre-season friendly at Blackpool on Saturday, July 24, will go ahead as planned with a 3pm kick-off time.

Police in the resort had been considering asking for the kick-off time to be brought forward to noon because of fears about possible trouble.

But they are now happy for the game to be staged as normal.

Most of the Rovers squad had weekend duty on the roster as they got straight down to hard work in their pre-season build-up.

While Chris Sutton was in London completing his £10 million move to Chelsea, the bulk of Rovers' playing staff were sweating in the humid temperatures at Brockhall. Manager Brian Kidd ordered most of his players to return on Friday and they worked through the weekend, with the Ewood boss determined to ensure they have a thorough build-up before the pre-season friendly matches start in Sweden on Thursday week.

Several players who were involved on international duty after the end of the Premiership season were given a few extra days.

But they will return tomorrow and the build-up will then gather pace.

Rovers have arranged half a dozen pre-season games, starting with a match against IFK Gothenburg in Grebbestad on Thursday, July 15.

Their Scandinavian training base is in Norway and they will tackle Lillestrom and Fredrikstad on Monday, July 19, and Wednesday, July 21, respectively.

On their return to England, Rovers will visit Blackpool, followed by a game at Oldham on Tuesday, July 27, and the Ewood fixture against Liverpool on Saturday, July 31.

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