TIM FLowers and Kevin Gallacher have both been passed fit for Blackburn Rovers' FA Cup fifth round tie at West Ham tomorrow.

But Stuart Ripley faces a late fitness test on a knee injury.

The recovery of Flowers from his bruised ribs will be a big relief to manager Roy Hodgson.

For Rovers, concerned about Flowers' fitness, found themselves in a farcical situation when they discovered from the FA that had they recalled Anthony Williams as cover from a month's loan at QPR, he would not have been eligible for the cup tie.

Ewood secretary Tom Finn approached the FA as a matter of course to check Williams would be clear to join Rovers' Cup squad if needed, as there is no other keeper of experience other than Alan Fettis.

But, for some obscure reason, the rule which states players must be signed not less than seven days before the date of the tie comes into force during the first month of a loan.

"We just wanted to know what the position was before we did anything," said Mr Finn.

"So we contacted the FA and, according to them, he would not be eligible even though he is still our player. They said there was a precedent but couldn't tell us what it was. "We would have had to call him back last Friday for him to be eligible!

"As it was not an option we haven't even spoken to QPR about recalling him."

Happily Hodgson confirmed today that Flowers would be fit and Gallacher is set to return to the team after recovering from his pelvic problem.

But Ripley faces a fitness check on the knee he injured at Hillsborough. The manager stressed it was nothing serious but it's wait and see for tomorrow.

Rovers' starting line-up looks set to come from: Flowers, Fettis, Kenna, Henchoz, Hendry, Croft, Ripley, Sherwood, McKinlay, Wilcox, Sutton, Duff, Gallacher, Flitcroft, Bohinen, Valery, Dahlin.

Eyal Berkovic is set to return for West Ham, with new boy Trevor Sinclair cup tied. Frank Lampard will also be back after a virus but striker Paul Kitson will need a fitness test on a groin strain.

If Kitson is unfit, Berkovic may partner John Hartson in attack as Samassi Abou is suspended.

West Ham are expected to choose from: Forrest, Breacker, Ferdinand, Pearce, Lazaridis, Lomas, Moncur, Impey, Lampard, Berkovic, Hartson, Kitson, Potts, Mean, Hodges, Lama.

John Hartson will pose a big threat, even though he has been going through a lean spell and he warned: "I'm adding hard work to my game now and, at the end of the day, I've scored 19 goals in 30 games."

Rovers have sold their allocation of tickets and there will not be any available at Upton Park.

The club today denied a newspaper report that there had been new developments over Parma's Argentine striker Hernan Crespo.

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