KEVIN Gallacher is almost certainly out of tomorrow night's game against treble-chasing Manchester United at Ewood.

And Blackburn Rovers boss Brian Kidd, facing a massive test against his former club, does not expect Jason McAteer to recover in time from the knee injury which kept him out of the side on Saturday.

That is a double body-blow for Kidd, who is faced with lifting the players off the floor following the dismal display against Nottingham Forest that all but consigned Rovers to First Division football next season.

Gallacher limped over the touchline shortly before the end of Saturday's defeat, gingerly feeling his hamstring, while McAteer's problem was a whack behind the knee which affected a nerve.

The manager will also have to look at several other players before naming his team.

Matt Jansen will need checking for reaction to his early return from knee surgery, Jason Wilcox has been carrying an ankle injury and Ashley Ward, who missed the Forest game with McAteer, will also have a fitness test.

If Ward has recovered from the battering he took at Charlton, he will return.

Depending on the fitness checks, particularly on Ward, Kevin Davies could come into the reckoning for his first start in two months.

It is hardly the ideal build-up to such a crucial game but that is the way it has been for most of the season. And, if Rovers fail to win against Alex Ferguson's side, relegation will be confirmed. Roy Keane looks certain to miss the match because of an ankle injury and is fighting to be fit for the FA Cup final.

But Ryan Giggs could return after missing six games with ankle problems and Rovers might also have to face the Dwight Yorke-Andy Cole strike partnership.

There were just a handful of tickets left this morning for the United game. They will not be on sale tomorrow as it is an all-ticket match. Anyone still hoping to buy a seat should call the ticket office first on 0321-10-10-10.

Similarly, there are only a few seats left for Newcastle on Sunday. The ticket office is open until 7pm tonight.

A Rovers youth squad flew to Switzerland today, to take part in the prestigious Blue Star under-20 tournament. Their invitation was arranged by Roy Hodgson before he was sacked and there are several top European sides in the competition, as well as Sao Paolo from Brazil. Sampdoria, Atletico Madrid and Feyenoord are all sending teams and Swiss clubs Grasshopper, FC Zurich and FC Lugano are all taking part.

Rovers Youth Academy dirctor Bobby Downes said: "Players such as David Dunn, Damien Duff and Martin Taylor are all eligible but we can't take them. So we will have a very young squad." There are seven members of the club's successful under-17 side included in the squad to travel.

They are still waiting to see whether Newcastle or Manchester City will provide the opposition in the final of the Academy under-17 play-offs.

Sheffield United are to offer ex-Rovers winger George Donis a permanent deal and hope to settle terms with the Greek international later this week.

Donis has spent a trial period with the Blades and scored in Sunday's last-day defeat at Ipswich.

United boss Steve Bruce said: "He's playing for buttons at the moment but he wants a contract. His demands are a bit formidable but he has done well and we are hoping to finalise a deal."

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