ROY Hodgson will again be without winger Stuart Ripley as Blackburn Rovers prepare to tackle Wimbledon at Selhurst Park on Saturday, searching for their first win in five Premiership games.

And, with Kevin Gallacher also a shock doubt with a groin strain, the Rovers boss could have a major problem on the right side of attack.

It isn't a question of Rovers not being prepared to risk Ripley against Wimbledon, the fact is he simply isn't fit yet.

"He will not start training with the squad until the beginning of next week at the earliest," said the manager today.

"We are trying to push it that little bit further every day but you don 't want to push too hard.

"Fortunately, Alan Smith and Mark Taylor are very experienced and know what to do, and Stuart is also aware of the difficulties, as he has had his share of problems in the past too.

"Hopefully, with the two-week break, he might be ready for the Southampton game."

Gallacher's injury will complicate matters if he is not fit enough to continue in the right-sided role that he has shown he can fill quite capably.

Ironically, Ripley's last game for Rovers was at Selhurst Park when they defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 - their last League victory.

After last season's injury problems, he had been in outstanding form in the first five matches of the current campaign.

It led to him being called up for the England game against Moldova at Wembley.

But, just a matter of minutes after going as a substitute to win his second cap, he damaged a hamstring and had to be withdrawn. That was almost a month ago on September 10.

Meanwhile, Ewood's Scottish trio of Colin Hendry, Kevin Gallacher and Billy McKinlay have all been called up by Craig Brown for the crucial World Cup qualifier at home to Latvia on Saturday week. Scotland are set to claim their finals place in France next year by beating Latvia and qualifying as the best second-placed team. Jeff Kenna has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for their final qualifier against Romania in Dublin.

The Irish are set to finish with a place in the two-legged play-offs.

And, with influential midfielder Roy Keane now looking set to miss out on those ties, there have been suggestions that Mick McCarthy might consider adding Rovers' young star Damien Duff to his squad.

Duff is starting to feature regularly in the first team squad at Ewood and has also been outstanding at junior levels for Ireland.

Tickets went on sale today for Rovers' third round Coca-Cola Cup tie at Chelsea. The game will be staged at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, October 15 (kick-off 7-45pm) and seats are one price, £16, with no concessions.

They have already won 2-0 in Latvia and Brown was able to recall Hendry after the central defender was forced to drop out of the last international, following the head injury he suffered at Crystal Palace.

Providing the Scots win, their qualification should be sealed by a Spanish victory over the Faroe Islands.

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