STUART Ripley could be fit to face Liverpool on Saturday as Blackburn bid to steal a march on the Merseysiders in the Premiership title race.

Ripley was injured as Rovers knocked Sheffield Wednesday out of the FA Cup on Monday night but a scan on his knee showed no serious damage.

Rovers boss Roy Hodgson confirmed today that the winger will not be a long-term casualty and is keeping his fingers crossed that he will be ready to play at Anfield.

"He will be back in a couple of days. The knee was badly shaken up and it's just a question of how quickly it will settle down but there was no ligament or cartilage damage."

The scan showed only evidence of old injuries and with his movement increasing as the week has gone on, the player himself has been lifted by the news.

Hodgson added that the physio would still exercise caution and the manager was waiting to see what level of involvement Ripley would have in training this afternoon.

But the news that Ripley may figure at Anfield and will certainly not be out of contention for long will be a major tonic for Rovers as they bid to claim second place for themselves and close the gap on leaders Manchester United.

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