BRIAN Kidd was certainly not in 'holiday mood' as he reflected on the end of Blackburn Rovers' Premiership campaign at Newcastle, a season dogged by injuries to the bitter end.

Stephane Henchoz and Matt Jansen were both absent on Tyneside and three more players had to be substituted through injury as Rovers finished with a little bit of pride - holding FA Cup finalists Newcastle without too much trouble.

But the Rovers boss was quick to deflect suggestions that everyone could now have a welcome break.

"There won't be any rest, there is a lot of hard work to be done on and off the pitch," he said.

"And everybody has to be working in the same direction.

"We all have to pull together.

"I am disappointed to be out of the Premiership. I cannot hide the fact that I would rather we had pushed ourselves over the line and be doing our rebuilding in the Premiership.

"That is the only league to be in. But it's history now and we have to get on with it.

"If anyone thinks it's going to be easy, they are kidding themselves.

"But, in the coming weeks, we can have a sort-out and see what's needed.

"I think the glaring thing we have missed is experience. We haven't had enough experienced players around us.

"You need your seasoned professionals."

John Filan, David Dunn and Kevin Gallacher, who stepped off the injured list to play, all succumbed to more problems during yesterday's finale when Rovers gained a creditable point.

But, really, it meant nothing in the end.

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