BRIAN Kidd, facing up to more tortuous twists and turns in the relegation scrap, promised today: "I won't go under."

The Blackburn Rovers boss takes his team to his old ground Highbury to take on double-chasing Arsenal tonight, aware that it is now two from four to join 'certainties' Nottingham Forest on the one-way trip to the Nationwide League.

But Kidd, who refuses to set his side a points target for safety, has no regrets about joining the Ewood relegation battle, now reaching meltdown.

He vowed: "It has been such a challenge but it hasn't made me go under, it has made me even more determined to succeed."

The revival he has helped inspire has been dogged by problems but he added: "I would not say it has been frustrating, that's not the right word because there have been things out of my control.

"But the most pleasing thing is the attitude of the players, such as Chris Sutton who virtually came off the treatment table to play on Saturday.

"They desperately want to be out there and that's smashing for the club and for me."

Rovers were the last visiting team to win a Premiership game at Highbury, back in December, 1997, when they triumphed 3-1.

It proved the catalyst for Arsenal's charge to the double.

Goalkeeper John Filan will be a crucial figure tonight.

And the Aussie hopes that, rather than the focus being on Arsenal's world-class attackers, it will be the Rovers strikers who take centre stage.

"If we can keep clean sheets at the back it's going to give us a chance," he said. "Because you only need one goal to win the game and we have players capable of scoring, with the boys up front starting to get an understanding.

"If we can be good defensively, then we have a chance and the back four were brilliant on Saturday."

Filan has played at Highbury before, for Coventry - and earned a 0-0 draw.

Rovers have several players to check before naming their side, notably Chris Sutton (groin), Stephane Henchoz (groin) and Callum Davidson (thigh).

They are expected to choose from: Filan, McAteer, Henchoz, Peacock, Davidson, Johnson, Marcolin, Wilcox, Ward, Sutton, Jansen, Gillespie, Carsley, Davies, Broomes, Croft, Flowers.

Arsenal expect Martin Keown to have recovered from a knock but wait on Marc Overmars.

Their squad is: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Winterburn, Ljungberg, Parlour, Vieira, Boa Morte, Diawara, Overmars, Anelka, Bergkamp, Bould, Kanu, Vivas, Grimandi, Lukic.

Damien Duff is expected to start for the Republic of Ireland against Saudi Arabia in the World Under-20 Championships in Nigeria tomorrow. The young Ewood star was on the bench for the Republic's opening match against Mexico after suffering a hamstring strain during the preparations for the tournament.

Mexico won 1-0 but Duff, who went on for the last 20 minutes or so, was close to snatching an equaliser.

Rovers finished runners-up to Croatia Zagreb in the Northern Italian under-16s football tournament, after losing 2-1 in the final last night.

They led Zagreb 1-0, thanks to a fine header from Marc Richards. But stronger and older opponents finished deserving winners.

"It was a fair result," said Academy director Bobby Downes.

"They were better than us but the tournament has been a great learning experience for the lads.

"We have played five games since Thursday and there were four under-15s in our squad but they have done really well."

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