ROY Hodgson's team plans for Saturday's Premiership derby against Bolton Wanderers at Ewood are likely to stay in cold storage until he has been able to receive a full assessment of his casualty list.

The Blackburn Rovers boss was left with a legacy of injuries from last Sunday's defeat at Old Trafford, including leading scorer Chris Sutton, who picked up a knock on the knee.

Skipper Tim Sherwood and full back Jeff Kenna also collected injuries against Manchester United which have restricted their training this week.

While there is cause for optimism, Rovers will need every player they send out against Wanderers to be in peak condition.

For Colin Todd has got his team playing at fever pitch and the extra edge from a clash between near neighbours is sure to increase the intensity of the occasion.

Hodgson has also stressed how important it is for Rovers not to suffer a hangover from Sunday's defeat.

The size of the scoreline last Sunday was a psychological blow but it was only Rovers' second major setback of the season and there is no reason why it should have a lasting effect given their previous form.

"It's a sad thing to lose by so many goals," he said.

"But, at the end of the day, whether you lose by one goal or four goals, you still get zero points," he said.

"It's up to us to put the defeat and disappointment behind us. We haven't had one for a while, we have to learn to suck the bitter pill of defeat and we will do that. "We want to make certain the defeat affects only that game and the points that were available - not the points that are to come in the next three matches.

"Because we now have three matches - two at home and one away - and we need to take as many points as possible from these games."

Sherwood was the victim of a crude and high challenge by Nicky Butt at Old Trafford, while Kenna damaged an ankle.

Hopefully neither will prove a serious problem.

Sutton, who also faces a one-match ban, hurt his knee but the manager will be hopeful of having them all fit to join the squad for a game that has taken on an extra dimension since Rovers crashed to their second defeat of the season.

All three will all be tested in training, then Rovers will await any reaction before making decisions for Saturday.

Hodgson also intended to put Colin Hendry through a fitness test before deciding whether or not he can come back into the reckoning.

This Saturday, it will be five weeks since Hendry damaged knee ligaments in the Premiership match at Barnsley.

He has been steadily improving but the manager has not put any timescale on a return to action.

Tore Pedersen, who has partnered Stephane Henchoz in the centre of defence during Hendry's absence, has had the all clear from an Achilles tendon problem he reported after last Sunday's game.

Swedish striker Pascal Simpson is due for a low-key visit to Ewood this weekend.

Simpson will take a look at the Rovers set-up although a permanent deal is not imminent.

There are still some tickets available for Rovers fans, price £19-23, with concessions at £10.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.