Relegation in focus as Ewood fans prepare to watch from the sidelines

Ex-Rover Beattie looks likely to be recalled by Southampton if he recovers from a groin strain in time for their clash with the Hammers at the Dell, one of two crucial games affecting the drop zone - the other being Coventry v Charlton at Highfield Road.

Rested at Tottenham in midweek when he was on the bench, Beattie has made himself a crowd pleaser at the Dell, despite the fact that he has scored only three Premiership goals.

And, with Saints still reeling over the refusal of a work permit for Latvian international striker Marians Pahars, manager David Jones is expected to recall Beattie after his brief break.

But Stuart Ripley, the other ex-Rover in Southampton ranks, is far less certain of starting as they bid to chalk up a fourth successive home victory and join Rovers on 26 points.

Having beaten Leeds and Newcastle in their last two home games, Southampton will certainly not fear West Ham, despite the Londoners' elevated position. Egil Ostenstad, Jason Dodd, Claus Lundekvam, Ken Monkou join Beattie in fighting for fitness.

Ostenstad has a groin strain, Dodd has a bad ankle, Monkou and Lundekvam both have hamstring injuries and Beattie is also suffering from a groin strain.

Moroccan international Hassan Kachloul is expected to return to the starting line-up after sitting on the bench at Tottenham in midweek.

Matthew Le Tissier is another potential starter after coming on at half-time at White Hart Lane.

The Hammers have beaten the south coast club only nine times in 37 games but are boosted by the return of Neil Ruddock after two games out with a calf injury.

While Rovers will fear the worst from the Dell, they will lose ground whatever happens at Highfield Road.

Either Coventry or Charlton will leap four points ahead of them or, in the case of a draw, both clubs will increase the gap between themselves and the bottom three to two points.

Coventry, who gave a glimpse of running back into form with their 4-1 success at Villa Park last week, will start slight favourites.

But Charlton have taken 10 points from their last four games to earn manager Alan Curbishley the Premiership's Carling manager of the month award for February.

Charlton, in fact, were the only top-flight side not to concede a goal as they won three and drew their other game last month. Curbishley was appointed joint manager of Charlton in 1991 but has been in sole charge since June 1995 and believes his team are capable of maintaining Premiership football at the Valley.

George Boateng, the Sky Blues influential midfield player, misses tomorrow's game through a one-match suspension.

Noel Whelan, Norwegian Trond Soltvedt and Belgian Philippe Clement will be battling for the midfield vacancy in Coventry's line up following George Boateng's one-match suspension.

Rovers, of course, have the weekend off because of Everton's FA Cup quarter-final commitments and, while Brian Kidd insists they must concentrate on their own games, it will be impossible for anyone at Ewood not to take a fierce interest in tomorrow's matches.

Those results will heighten the tension before next week's crucial games for Kidd's side, against Everton at Ewood on Wednesday night and then away to Coventry the following Saturday.

Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear remains in a comfortable condition in a Sheffield Hospital after a heart attack leaving coaches David Kemp and Mick Harford to pick the side for the Selhurst Park clash with Leicester.

The Dons' £7.5million marksman John Hartson will make a long awaited return to action following his three-match ban.

Despite being substituted during the victory over Sheffield Wednesday, Michael Hughes has suffered no further aggravation to his long-term groin injury.

Leicester could be without star striker Emile Heskey for the game through a long-term back injury.

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