CHRIS Sutton is just one more booking away from an appearance in front of the Football Association - and a certain ban which would be another damaging blow to Blackburn Rovers' hopes of avoiding relegation.

The Ewood skipper, tipped in some quarters for an England call by Kevin Keegan later this week, was cautioned for dissent in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Coventry at Highfield Road.

It was his 10th yellow card of the campaign and the next will trigger a disciplinary hearing.

The longer he can stay out of trouble the more lenient the punishment is likely to be, but the going rate at the moment for 11 cautions seems to be a two-game ban and a fine.

Rovers can ill afford to carry another suspension as the season reaches its most important stage, but the relegation struggle is one they believe they can still win.

Though Jason McAteer warned today that it won't be a pretty sight after Rovers battled back in spirited fashion at Highfield Road.

"If we can play nine more games like that I think we will win more than we lose," he said.

"It's just going to be a pure battle, it's not going to be pretty."

"We aren't going to string together 20 passes and get out wide, even on the best of pitches.

"But we have to battle it out.

"Our heads have been a bit down in the last couple of weeks. We have had some bad results and some indifferent performances where we haven't shown as much heart. Without making excuses, things have gone against us as well and, when we went 1-0 down, I thought, oh no here we go again.

"But we showed 110 per cent commitment and that's the kind of performance we are going to have to put in to grind out results. "We were so happy with the way we played and I thought we deserved to win."

Jason Wilcox agreed: "We are going to be in it right to the end but we are not thinking about going down.

"We just have to make sure we give 100 per cent commitment and hope our ability will carry us through."

Manager Brian Kidd backed his players, saying: "I have never once thought we could not escape relegation. There are nine games to go, a long way."

Kidd played down his verbal touchline bust-up with Coventry coach Garry Pendrey, following one of many clashes between Chris Sutton and Muhamed Konjic.

"It was about giving a foul," he said. "I wanted a foul and Garry wanted a foul, something and nothing.

"I was disappointed we didn't get three points. There was only one team in it in the first half."

Sutton, who will be very surprised if he is in Keegan's first England squad, added: "It was a battle but with the state of the pitch and both teams scrapping for points it was always going to be a physical game.

"I don't expect to get in (for England). I haven't played many games, so I haven't scored many goals.

"At the moment, my main focus is to get really fit and playing well for Blackburn. This season has been a disaster for injuries.

"Hopefully I can play the last nine games and get stronger and stronger. I just haven't been thinking about England. My thoughts are on trying to stay up with Blackburn."

Damien Duff's inclusion in the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Championships (under-20) in Nigeria next month has been confirmed but Rovers are still monitoring the situation before making a decision on whether to release the player or withdraw him.

"He has had all the jabs and is ready to go. Our appeals have fallen on deaf ears but there is still a debate going on with those clubs who have withdrawn players," said secretary Tom Finn.

Rovers Reserves take on Manchester United at Ewood in the Pontin's League tonight (kick-off 7pm).

The squad is: Williams, Worrell, Richardson, Konde, Coughlan, Brown, Corbett, Scates, Burgess, Hamilton, Fitzpatrick, Murphy, D Dunning, McAvoy, Woodfield, Stewart.

Emmanuel Petit is set to miss Rovers' game at Highbury on Easter Tuesday through suspension. The Arsenal World Cup star was sent off at Everton on Saturday for the third time this season.

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