BRIAN Kidd could well be set to ring the changes for Saturday's massive game against relegation rivals Charlton Athletic at The Valley.

For, depending on several fitness tests, the Blackburn Rovers boss might have more options open to him than for some time.

Callum Davidson returns from suspension and arguably his best game in a Scotland shirt as they stunned Germany 1-0 in Bremen last night.

And, with Gary Croft having come through his return to action from a dislocated shoulder, Kidd has two regular full backs available for the first time in weeks.

That gives him the opportunity to switch Jason McAteer to a midfield role if he believes it will be of most value to the side at the moment.

Saturday's game is one that both sides desperately want to win but Kidd will try to keep his players in a composed state of mind, despite last weekend's major setback at home to Liverpool.

And he doesn't feel there is any extra pressure.

"We have always been under pressure," said the manager. "That's certainly been the case since I got here because of our precarious position. "But I knew that would be the case. It was always going to be a battle right to the end." Keith Gillespie, Damien Johnson, Lee Carsley and Stephane Henchoz are the main players who will need checking before the manager finalises his line-up.

McAteer was substituted in the second half of the Republic of Ireland's 2-0 win over Sweden in Dublin last night, while Damien Duff went on for the last 10 minutes or so.

Early reports from Ireland indicated there were no injury problems.

Likewise Davidson, who laid on Don Hutchison's matchwinner in Bremen. He was subbed near the end but was not reported to have any injuries.

Those who have been away on international duty were flying into London today to link up with the rest of the squad, travelling early to avoid Bank Holiday weekend traffic problems.

Charlton expect to have goalkeeper Simon Royce back in the side after recovering from injury. He kept a clean sheet in a midweek reserve game to confirm his fitness.

In the absence of Royce and Sasa Ilic, third-choice Andy Petterson has conceded eight goals in the last two matches.

And former Ewood keeper Micky Salmon has been on the bench.

Striker Clive Mendonca, however, is not expected to recover from a neck injury. They are also anxiously awaiting the outcome of a mid-afternoon disciplinary hearing at the FA with key defender Richard Rufus having appealed against a recent red card.

He is due to start a four-match ban on Saturday, unless the dismissal is overturned.

Rovers have still heard nothing from the Football Association regarding last Saturday's touchline confrontation between Brian Kidd and Liverpool's Phil Thompson.

And the FA said this morning that they had still not received referee Rob Harris's report from the Rovers-Liverpool match.

"It may arrive later today," said a spokeswoman for the FA.

Even if the referee was not aware of what actually went on, his fourth official Neale Barry was right on the spot to witness it. But, unless there is any specific reference to the incident, action seems unlikely to be taken against either Kidd or Thompson.

Garry Flitcroft was able to join in some light training with the rest of the senior squad yesterday, a welcome boost for the player who has been sidelined most of the season after knee surgery.

But Brian Kidd was quick to stress that it did not mean Flitcroft was on the verge of a comeback.

Nathan Blake is also out for the season, having seen the Welsh team specialist who diagnosed Compartment Syndrone in the shins.

Billy McKinlay has gone to Lilleshall for a week but he, along with Jeff Kenna, is unlikely to feature again.

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