TIM Sherwood today promised Blackburn Rovers fans he would be doing his bit to boost the Ewood survival battle.

The former Rovers skipper plays for Tottenham at Charlton tonight, well aware of the importance of the game to his old club.

He speaks regularly to several of his former team-mates, including his replacement as skipper Jason Wilcox, and pledged that Spurs would be going all out for victory at The Valley tonight - not least to help themselves.

Before going training this morning, Sherwood said: "If anyone thinks I haven't got any feelings for Blackburn they would be wrong.

"I wouldn't be where I am now without them.

"My times at Blackburn were the best of my career so far.

"It's tough going anywhere in the Premiership these days and Charlton will be fighting for their lives.

"All the reports we have had from Saturday say they should have beaten Leeds.

"But we are well prepared for it.

"Everyone here is playing for a place next season. We all know the manager won't accept any messing about and everyone wants to stay at Tottenham.

"So you can guarantee we'll do our best. I hope we can do something for ourselves and and that will also be good for Blackburn.

"But I still think Blackburn have it in their own hands to stay up, starting with Liverpool on Saturday.

"When we were in trouble last time and Tony Parkes took over it was the Liverpool game that turned it round when we won 3-0. "Maybe if they can get a spark like that again it will do the trick.

"I certainly hope so."

Meanwhile, Gary Croft was withdrawn from last night's reserve squad and could be set for a surprise Rovers return against Liverpool at Ewood on Saturday.

Rovers boss Brian Kidd, who looked as though he would be left without a single recognised full back for the Liverpool clash - with Callum Davidson suspended - has now pencilled in Croft as a possible starter.

The former Grimsby defender has not played since dislocating his shoulder against Everton six weeks ago.

But, with no other natural full backs available to him, Kidd will welcome any re-inforcements.

Originally, Croft was included in the reserve squad to play at Stoke but the manager said: "We felt it was better for him to train with us.

"We'll see how it goes during the week and, hopefully, he could be in contention for Saturday."

Jason McAteer has filled in successfully for injured Jeff Kenna at right back but Davidson's one-match ban for five bookings - Keith Gillespie is also suspended on Saturday - gave Kidd yet another problem to try to solve. Rovers were also waiting today for the specialist's verdict on injured stars Billy McKinlay and Chris Sutton.

Both have been suffering from groin problems and seem unlikely to play again this season.

Rovers had already written off virtually any chance of Sutton returning to the relegation scrap, though the club's medical staff were optimistic he would not need an operation.

And, after his brief attempt to return against Arsenal, McKinlay is struggling too.

Even though he had surgery earlier in the season, the Scot could need a lengthy rest before playing again.

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley believes Coventry could yet be dragged back into the relegation struggle.

He said: "I still think it will go right down to the wire. Coventry have lost two on the spin and a win for either us or Southampton puts them right back in it.

"The players aren't despondent. We just need to get three points, either against Spurs or on Saturday at Everton."

Callum Davidson has been named in the Scotland squad to face Germany in a friendly in Bremen tomorrow week, April 28.

Rovers will be pleased that neither Kevin Gallacher nor Christian Dailly, who have both just recovered from injury, are included.

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