BILLY McKinlay could be sidelined for several weeks after aggravating his groin injury in Blackburn Rovers' hard-fought draw at Wimbledon.

The midfielder has been playing through the pain barrier in recent matches but, in heavy conditions, he finally had to call it a day.

And that leaves manager Roy Hodgson's midfield resources threadbare again, despite the capture of Lazio's Dario Marcolin.

"He has been limping from game to game. He got off the treatment table to play for us against the Arsenal because we had nobody else," said Hodgson of McKinlay.

"Then he went back on the table before playing against Crewe.

"If we had had a normal squad he really should not have played in that game.

"Unfortunately, having done it again against Wimbledon on a heavy pitch, the injury he has been carrying has developed from a strain to a pull.

"We are likely to be without him for a little while."

After the hectic events of last week, it could go quiet on the transfer front, though chief executive John Williams refused to rule out fresh moves.

Newcastle winger Keith Gillespie, set to leave Tyneside by the end of the season at the latest, continues to be linked with Rovers but there has not been any contact between the clubs. And rumours are linking Preston with a bid to take Ewood youngster David Dunn on loan.

But they can hardly afford to let anyone else go out at the moment, especially midfielders.

Rovers battled hard for their point at Selhurst but ultimately cracked from one of numerous Wimbledon corners.

"Unfortunately, we went through a spell in the second half where we couldn't stop Wimbledon piling up the corners and wide free kicks," said Hodgson.

"We all know how dangerous they are in those situations. They had shown that in the first half when we had been hard pushed to defend.

"But I thought we were rather unlucky in the last 15 minutes not to take the lead again.

"The pitch didn't help our passing game and we tried to start that way. It would have been a good tactic had we been able to pursue it. But I thought it was a very brave Blackburn Rovers performance."

It was a good away point but Hodgson stressed he felt Rovers could have won it and disagreed with suggestions that they would have settled for a draw.

"I don't think you settle for anything before a game, you wait and see what develops.

"You go into every game, hoping, dreaming and praying that you will win.

"All your preparations are aimed at victoiry.

"As it turned out we got a draw and I have to accept that, but I am not saying I am satisfied with it.

"All the players worked hard and we were playing against a good side who have a brand of football which is really fine tuned.

Manchester City are hoping to sign ex-Rover George Donis on extended loan until the end of the season. But the deal has been held up because his club AEK have just parted company with their coach.

Two goals from Steve Foster and one from Ben Burgess gave Rovers under-17s Academy team a 3-0 home win over Crewe Alexandra. But it was a hard-fought game and not as clear-cut as the score suggests.

The under-19s were also playing Crewe at Brockhall but went down 2-1, in a close game which could have gone either way. Gary Hamilton scored Rovers' consolation goal.

Tickets for the Worthington Cup fourth round tie at Newcastle on Wednesday week, November 11, went on open sale today. They are priced £20 adults, £10 juniors.

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