STUART Ripley is set to give Blackburn Rovers a major boost by returning to training after missing Saturday's FA Cup tie against West Ham.

And, as Rovers continue to try to strengthen their squad, Southampton striker Egil Ostenstad's name has cropped up again.

Contrary to a newspaper report today, however, secretary Tom Finn stressed Rovers have not had an offer for the striker turned down.

As we revealed in summer, Ostenstad was the subject of an Ewood inquiry. But Saints were not interested.

Last week, they failed in a bid to sign Stockport's Alun Armstrong which might have changed their position.

They may now be thinking about selling and no doubt Rovers will monitor the situation.

But Saints boss David Jones confirmed that there has not been a bid.

They play Coventry tomorrow and he added: "I know Blackburn will be here because we play them on Saturday. No doubt that will increase the speculation.

"It's strange these rumours should start before we play a side."

Meanwhile, manager Roy Hodgson will welcome Ripley's return as it greatly increases his options with a tough week coming up.

"He trained with the physio yesterday and should be joining in with us today," said the boss.

Ripley suffered a reaction last week to the knee he injured in the FA Cup at Hillsborough. Goalkeeper Tim Flowers has picked up a slight shoulder injury, to go with his bruised ribs, but the manager expects him to resume training quickly.

Tickets are now on sale for the FA Cup replay against West Ham tomorrow week. League season-ticket holders have until 12.30pm on Saturday to claim their own seats. They need voucher H and their book. Premium ticket holders need take no action.

It is a category B game, with prices £16-20, concessions where available £10.

Suggestions on Sky TV that Gary Croft was playing Eyal Berkovic onside when he scored West Ham's second goal at Upton Park seem to be unfounded.

Croft was actually out of play, having fallen over the goal-line when Berkovic touched home the goal from point-blank range.

Sky's experts claimed the Rovers defender was still "active' as he was inside the goalframe, meaning that his presence and that of Colin Hendry kept Berkovic onside.

But League referee Phil Richards, who works in Blackburn, cleared up the doubts over the 'rule' by saying it was non-existent.

If Croft had deliberately left the field of play without permission, he could have been cautioned. He didn't but he was off the pitch so Berkovic it seems should have been flagged offside.

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