-BRIAN Kidd, hoping to wrap up a £3.3 million deal for Derby County's Lee Carsley this weekend, could still make another excursion into the transfer market before next Thursday's deadline.

And that raises the possibility of re-activating Ewood interest in the likes of versatile Steve Lomas at West Ham or Charlton's Mark Kinsella, who is a very different type of midfielder to Carsley.

Kidd revealed: "We have identified our targets and if they become available, I am sure I can go to Mr Walker ag- ain."

Pride Park boss Jim Smith left Carsley out of a threadbare Derby squad at Leeds this afternoon as talks with Rovers continued - though the player might have been doubtful anyway because of a niggling ankle injury.

There has been nothing to suggest he will not make the move to Ewood, but Rovers are still lacking depth in other areas as well as midfield.

They have already denied links with Alan Stubbs at Celtic and the centre of defence, not to mention full back, are departments of the squad which could do with strengthening.

Midfield, however, has long been pinpointed as the crucial area by Kidd, after unexpectedly losing Garry Flitcroft and Billy McKinlay. The latter is making good progress after groin surgery and, though the manager was resigned to him being out for the season, the chance of making the last few matches cannot be entirely ruled out.

As we revealed in last night's later editions, Kevin Gallacher has also managed a couple of days training this week and that will encourage hopes of a return to match action before too long.

Any comebacks by senior stars will boost the manager as he does not want to put too much pressure on his youngsters.

"You can't keep continually putting youngsters out there with the mental and physical demands of the Premiership," said Kidd.

"We know what's going through their minds and they do think about the situation. They are only human.

"Even before I came everybody here was thinking about the position we are in.

"But I firmly believe we can get out of trouble and the spirit among the lads is smashing, it's first class.

"And the crowd have been smashing too. Let's be honest about it, we have to give them something to cheer.

"We have some big games coming up but that's been the case all season.

"The big games start in August, not in December or March. That's the Premiership."

Depending on injuries, a number of players will leave in the coming week to join their respective international squads.

While they are all involved in important qualifying ties for the Euro 2000 finals, it will be a worry for Kidd in Rovers' present circumstances.

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