KEVIN Davies has been readmitted to hospital for more tests after suffering a recurrence of the severe throat problems which laid him low earlier in the season.

The Rovers striker, who scored on his last appearance against Charlton in the FA Cup, was serving a one-match suspension when Rovers beat Leeds in the Premiership on Saturday.

He was expected to challenge for a recall at Derby this weekend.

But manager Brian Kidd said today: "Apparently it's a similar problem to the one he had before I came here.

"He has gone back into hospital and we are just waiting to see what happens. At the moment we don't really know anything."

Meanwhile, Ashley Ward today defended his decision to lend his name to an advert for controversial drug Creatine.

The £4.5 million hot-shot appears in this month's edition of World Soccer magazine promoting the performance-enhancing supplement.

But the ex-Barnsley striker has hit back at a tabloid story which claims he has walked into a storm.

"I didn't realise there were any problems with using it until a journalist rang me about it yesterday.

"As far as I am concerned it is a naturally occurring substance and I look upon it like taking multi-vitamins to look after your body. I don't think of it as taking a drug. "At nearly every club I have been at nearly all the players have used it.

"When I was at Derby most of the players used it there and it was just the same at Barnsley. They even used it in my time at Crewe.

"A high percentage of sportsman use it and I see no problem with doing that.

"I've used it a bit over the last couple of years but I've not used it this season."

Creatine has been proved to significantly enhance athletic performance in the areas of power, strength and muscle mass.

But it is currently under investigation in Italy in connection with the deaths of 20 footballers over the last two decades.

Although it is not banned in England, medical experts claim it can be dangerous, leading to possible kidney failure, if over-used.

Ward is just one of a host of famous sporting stars who have taken the substance under strict guidelines.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger widely encouraged its use throughout his double-winning squad last season and athletes such as Sally Gunnell and Linford Christie have also claimed to have benefitted from this synthetic form of a naturally-occurring muscle builder.

But Ward did not know he was going to be used in the advert by Maximuscle, although he had agreed his name could be used in conjunction with the product.

"I didn't know they were actually going to do an advert like that. "They spoke to me and said they would give me the stuff, together with some multi vitamins, for nothing if I didn't mind them using my name now and again.

"In light of this material I will try and find out a bit more about it but as far as I know there has never been a problem with it."

Young keeper Anthony Williams has started a loan spell with Second Division Macclesfield Town although he did not feature in Saturday's game against Fulham. Rovers have denied knowledge of an interest in the keeper from Newcastle United.

Rovers will not be able to appeal against Tim Sherwood's latest dismissal. The skipper said he would like to consider it but appeals are not allowed by the FA when a red card stems from a second caution in a game.

Season-ticket holders are reminded that they have only until Saturday (12.30pm) to claim their own seats at the special discount prices for the FA Cup fourth round tie against Sunderland at Ewood on Saturday week, January 23 (3pm).

Prices for season-ticket holders until then have been cut to £10 adults, £8 juniors and senior citizens.

After Saturday, all prices will be £15 (£10). Seats are currently on sale to fans who are not season-ticket holders at those prices.

Tickets will not be available on the day of the game.

Seats for Saturday's Premiership game at Derby are on open sale until 1pm Friday, price £19 adults, £10 concessions.

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