BRIAN Kidd has run into another crisis on the eve of tomorrow night's FA Cup fifth round replay against Newcastle United at Ewood.

Chris Sutton and Stephane Henchoz both had scans last night and face missing the FA Cup clash, as well as Saturday's Premiership game at West Ham.

And Billy McKinlay went into hospital today for groin surgery which could even spell a premature end to his season.

Kidd refuses to whinge about his problems but he must feel he has walked into a minefield since taking over as boss of Blackburn Rovers.

Every week seems to bring a new set of problems for him.

Sutton twisted an ankle against Chelsea last week and also has a sore foot, but the injuries are not thought to be connected to the stress fractures which kept him out for so long earlier in the season.

He has to serve a one-match ban, starting next week, and will be hoping that the extended break will give him chance to make a full recovery.

Henchoz twisted his knee on Saturday and has a couple of other problems with his thigh and calf.

With Jason McAteer and Matt Jansen both cup tied, Kidd will be forced to ring the changes once more against Newcastle.

"It's not easy, having to make four or five changes every week, but we'll go with what we have got and the lads who play will give everything," he said.

McKinlay will be out for a number of weeks and, by the time he has regained his fitness, the season could be all but over.

Rovers are looking to bring in a midfielder but Kidd does not want to do things on a short-term basis.

He would prefer to continue building with the future in mind, as well as the present.

Garry Flitcroft has already been ruled out for the rest of the season and Christian Dailly, who pulled a thigh muscle before Christmas, has shown no signs of being ready to return. Damien Johnson is on the way back from a knee injury but Kevin Gallacher is still some distance from being ready to challenge for a place with a troublesome calf injury. Although Kidd has made it clear that Premiership survival is his priority, there is a great incentive tomorrow night - a home quarter-final tie against Everton.

But Rovers' task looks a tough one.

Kidd's resources at front and back will now be further depleted by the injury problems to go with the midfield crisis.

But at least he can recall Jason Wilcox, after suspension, and the winger might well be asked to slot into a midfield role once again.

Meanwhile, the Football Association have received assurances from FIFA that the health and safety of England and Ireland's rising stars will not be at risk when they compete in the World Under-20 Championships in Nigeria in April.

Rovers are set to lose Damien Duff to the Republic of Ireland squad but have not yet given up hope that he might be released.

They wrote to the FA to enlist their help over a number of concerns but the FA insist there is nothing to worry about over health and safety following the findings of a FIFA working party.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "We would never dream of placing any players in a position that would put them at risk.

"We are aware of certain situations in Nigeria and we therefore sought a number of reassurances from FIFA with regard to the health and safety of every individual that should travel with the England party.

"FIFA have had a working group visit Nigeria and on their return they informed us with every assurance we had requested. We are fully supportive of this competition."

Rovers are still arguing that, as a senior international, Duff should not be involved in a youth tournament.

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