ROY Hodgson was pressing ahead with his goalkeeper search today, knowing that he only has until tomorrow lunchtime to sign someone to be eligible for Saturday's game at Crystal Palace.

The Blackburn Rovers boss, however, stressed that the important thing was not how quickly he brought in a replacement for John Filan but that the club got the right man.

And Hodgson has enough faith in Tim Flowers and Anthony Williams to go with them at Selhurst on Saturday, if necessary.

But he didn't rule out the possibility of a signing in the next 24 hours.

With Filan's season in ruins, Rovers are likely to have to buy a new keeper.

They are not allowed to borrow one from another Premier League club and their need now is for a top-class long-term back-up to Flowers.

Filan had already proved he was a more than capable addition to the staff and with him and Flowers in tandem, Rovers would have had an outstanding goalkeeping pair to build on their excellent start.

Flowers reckons he is still some way short of full fitness but the England man will be ready to give it a go if needed against Palace.

But there is still a chance of developments later today or tomorrow morning.

"I am not desperate for Saturday, but something may or may not happen," said the manager today. "The fact is that if you are going to buy you have to buy a top-class player and there are perhaps only three or four clubs who have three keepers.

"People aren't going to sell you their second keeper or they would find themselves in a similar position and we cannot borrow a player from another Premier League club.

"We are trying to make some decisions and going through everything at the moment. It is important not to act too hastily and make the wrong decision."

One club with three keepers is Newcastle but whether they would sell anyone considering their European involvement is another matter.

Meanwhile, Hodgson dismissed stories in the national Press that he had apologised for his remarks about the challenge by Wayne Collins which left Filan seriously injured.

After the game, the Rovers boss explained his feelings to Wednesday manager David Pleat and was quite clear about them in the Press conference too. He was very unhappy about the challenge and revealed today: "I have not changed my mind at all and I haven't spoken to anyone about it. Pleat said that some of our players had said it was a fair challenge.

"But none of our players has said anything to us."

Hodgson added that he would find it strange if his own players should talk to the opposition manager without talking to him about it.

Advance ticket sales for Saturday's game ended at lunchtime today. Seats, however, will be available to Rovers fans at Selhurst Park on the day of the game, price £18, and Palace have also decided to allow concessions at £11.

Junior Rovers are holding a Quiz Night in Strikers tonight (7-30pm-9-30pm). Admission is free for members while non-members - accompanied by a member - must pay 50p admission.

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