MATT Jansen has made a remarkable recovery from a cartilage operation, returning to training just 18 days after surgery.

And, while Blackburn Rovers boss Brian Kidd stresses he will not take any unnecessary risks, it does raise the prospect of Jansen still playing some part in the relegation struggle.

The striker was thought to have been ruled out for the rest of the season just after Easter when he missed the trip to Arsenal and went into hospital for the operation two days later.

But Kidd confirmed today: "Yes, he has been able to do a little bit of light training.

"We have to be careful not to go overboard about it, because we don't want to raise any false hopes.

"And there is a big difference between coming back, doing some training and playing in games.

"But the fact that he has been able to do some football work is pleasing less than three weeks since he had the operation.

"Providing he doesn't suffer any reaction it's a piece of good news for us and raises possibilities."

Among all the gloom caused by Rovers' injury problems, Jansen's first step on the comeback road yesterday is a real positive note. For the manager will need as many hands as he can muster in the remaining matches.

After Saturday's massive confrontation with Charlton at The Valley, they then face a crucial eight days with three games, two at home against relegated Nottingham Forest and title favourites Manchester United, plus the final trip to Newcastle.

Their fate could even depend on having players fit enough to handle that hectic finale and the more of them available the better.

Kidd, meanwhile, praised the co-operation of international managers Craig Brown, Mick McCarthy and Lawrie McMenemy for their understanding of the Ewood problems.

The Rovers boss was forced to withdraw all three players, Keith Gillespie, Damien Johnson and Alan Fettis, from the Northern Ireland squad and only Calum Davidson has joined Scotland.

He has had long talks with McCarthy about the problems affecting Lee Carsley and Jason McAteer prior to the Republic of Ireland's game and they might not be risked in the friendly with Sweden.

McMenemy was set to hand Johnson his first senior cap for Northern Ireland but the youngster picked up a couple of knocks in Saturday's defeat by Liverpool.

And Brown was particularly helpful regarding Scotland as he would have liked to selected Kevin Gallacher given his own striker problems. "There's no way I would try to be tricky and keep players away from international duty without good reason," said Kidd.

"I think its great for the individuals and an honour for the club when they represent their country.

"It's important to have trust between club and international managers, you don't want to lose that and I always try to be up front with them.

"To be fair to all of them, they have been very good and they understand our situation.

"That was Kevin's first 90 minutes for months on Saturday and Craig has been excellent.

"It's similar with Lee Carsley. He hasn't been able to handle playing Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday because of his ankle."

The continuing injury plight led to Rovers fielding what could well have been their youngest-ever reserve side at Ewood last night.

"We just can't afford to take any chances at the moment," added the manager.

Rovers still have some tickets left for Saturday's crunch game at Charlton. They are priced £25 adults, £15 children. There are no concessions for senior citizens.

Rovers are appealing for any season ticket holders who have changed address during the season to inform the club within the next two weeks before next season's ticket details are formulated.

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