GARRY Flitcroft is about to emerge from his winter of injury discontent with a double boost, in the shape of the all-clear from the medical men and a new long-term contract at Ewood Park, writes PETER WHITE.

The 26-year-old Blackburn Rovers midfielder is close to putting pen to paper on a new deal that will hopefully tie him to the club for the peak years of his career.

And he sees a specialist next week and expects to get the green light to start running again with a possible target of playing again early next month.

Ewood chief executive John Williams confirmed today that detailed negotiations had been ongoing over a new contract for Flitcroft.

I understand that both parties are happy and that the player is keen to sign a long-term deal.

He has enjoyed his football since making a £3 million move from Manchester City in March 1996 and is determined to bounce back soon from the knee problem which has laid him up for the past three months.

Flitcroft has not appeared in the Rovers first team since the middle of October when they were beaten 2-1 at Middlesbrough.

A knee injury in training led to surgery, for cartilage problems, and the longest lay-off he has ever experienced.

But now he is bursting to get back and, providing he is given the all-clear next week, Flitcroft promised: "I'm just going to batter it."

Flitcroft aims to be back playing as soon as possible and a realistic target, for a player who is naturally fit anyway, would probably be early February.

"Hopefully I will get the okay to start running full out again and then I would be looking at two or three weeks after that if everything goes well," he said. "My right leg has some muscle wastage which I need to build up again but I am hoping that will soon come back and the knee itself feels fine, just like normal.

"I'm just looking forward to getting back in training again, it's so frustrating just watching the rest of the lads, especially when there's a real buzz about the place as there is at the moment."

Flitcroft was playing some of the best football of his career just before he was injured.

He was outstanding in the UEFA Cup tie against Lyon in France and also scored two goals in the 3-0 Premiership win over West Ham.

His return will be a major boost for manager Brian Kidd who has been linked again today in the national Press with a possible move for Liverpool's Robbie Fowler.

But, on more than one occasion, Kidd has dismissed such speculation as "unrealistic".

He said today: "I just don't know where they are getting this from. It's absolute nonsense."

Suggestions that Rovers' new striker Ashley Ward could be a contender for future international honours with the Republic of Ireland were being played down in Dublin today.

Ward could have possible qualification for the Irish via his wife Dawn. But he would face a three-year wait with a passport application and, by that time, would be 31.

Irish boss Mick McCarthy is away at the moment but he is well aware that the Republic have an outstanding crop of younger players coming through.

Leeds United are hoping to add striker Willem Korsten to their squad for Saturday's game at Ewood.

They were expected to complete a £1.3 million deal with Vitesse Arnhem for Korsten, 24, later today.

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