ASHLEY Ward believes confidence can be the key to survival as Blackburn Rovers prepare to patch up their walking wounded for tonight's crucial relegation "six-pointer" against Everton at Ewood.

The striker, who was involved in a similar scrap to stay up with Barnsley last season, is one of the players free from injury and the flu bug which has decimated Brian Kidd's squad.

And he knows the importance of tonight's clash, as well as Saturday's trip to Coventry.

"People will say this week's games are six-pointers and that's an accurate description," he said.

"They are massive games for us but we know what we have to do.

"If you've got doubts you shouldn't be playing.

"Even the teams below us are confident they can pull themselves out.

"We are in a precarious position but we know we have good enough players to get out of it.

"When you are in a position like this you have to be confident or you are losing the battle.

"One defeat in 11 games was a fantastic run and it just shows you what kind of a position we were in before.

"Because two straight League defeats and we are back in the bottom three.

"That shows how tight it is."

Ward's determination was echoed by Gary Croft who emphasised the spirit in the camp was still strong.

"There is no sign of desperation or despondency here. We are confident we have the players who can pull us through, even though we have almost a full team out of action," he said.

"It's about deeds now not words and about pulling together.

"We have to dig our heels in - the sooner we get the points to make us safe the better."

Kidd was holding a roll-call this afternoon to see just who was available to play.

He expects Stephane Henchoz to have shaken off a knee injury but has so many others out or doubtful that he might well have to include players with no senior experience in the 16 to face Everton.

But he refuses to complain.

"What's the point? The situation is there for all to see and is out of our control so all you can do is get on with it," he said.

Kidd has Kevin Gallacher, Garry Flitcroft, Billy McKinlay, Christian Dailly, Jeff Kenna, Tim Flowers and Alan Fettis all definitely out through injury, with Chris Sutton and Marlon Broomes suspended.

Flu victims Nathan Blake, David Dunn and Dario Marcolin are doubtful.

Rovers' starting line-up will probably come from: Filan, Croft, McAteer, Peacock, Henchoz, Davidson, Gillespie, Dunn, Jansen, Wilcox, Ward, Blake, Davies, Duff, Taylor, Johnson, Taylor, Konde, Williams.

Some of the young professionals may have to be added to make up the bench if fitness tests go against Rovers.

Everton will choose from: Myhre, Weir, Watson, Materazzi, O'Kane, Grant, Hutchison, Unsworth, Barmby, Cadamarteri, Jeffers, Bakayoko, Oster, Ball, Dunne, Short, Branch, Simonsen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.