BLACKBURN Rovers' plans to redevelop the Walkersteel Stand at Ewood have been put on indefinite hold, following relegation from the Premiership.

But chief executive John Williams stressed that the scheme could be instantly re-activated should the club achieve their on-field ambitions and bounce straight back with promotion next season.

Rovers have carried out extensive studies into the feasibility of expanding the stadium's capacity, probably to around 35,000, by rebuilding the one 'older' side of Ewood.

The plans include a hotel and exhibition hall, projects which they believe could justify themselves irrespective of what happens on the pitch.

But Williams and the board are determined not to embark on anything that might distract attention from the club's sole target of regaining Premier League status.

Rovers are aware that they are unlikely to fill the present capacity with Nationwide League First Division football next season.

Despite relegation, Ewood's average attendance - according to official figures from the league - actually showed a two per cent increase last season from 25,252 (1997-98) to 25,761.

Most other clubs have experienced a significant drop in attendances after going out of the top flight, though there have been exceptions. And the number of visiting fans could fall sharply.

The chief executive, however, is hoping the majority of supporters will stay loyal, at least for a season, and that the club can regain its momentum.

If so, that could signal the green light for the new Walkersteel-side development.

"Our single objective next season is to get back up into the Premiership," said Williams.

"We do not intend to be diverted from that by anything else. All our efforts will be concentrated behind manager Brian Kidd and the football side.

"Given Jack Walker's absolute commitment to coming straight back, we would not even consider taking on such a project this year. It's not appropriate as our focus on getting back will be total."

The chief executive admitted that failure to claim promotion and a lengthy stint down below could mean the proposed development not proving a viable proposition, despite the fact that the club believe the hotel and hall could stand on their own.

"We know that we are not going to fill the stadium in the Nationwide," he said.

Damien Duff and Lee Carsley were last night both named in the Republic of Ireland starting line-up for this afternoon's Dublin fund-raiser friendly against Northern Ireland.

John Filan has been named in the top 50 Premiership players last season by a poll conducted by FourFourTwo magazine among managers, players and fans.

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