CHRIS Sutton has been given the all-clear following a two-day stay in hospital at the end of last week and is determined to press his claims for a place in Blackburn Rovers' starting line-up against Derby County on Saturday.

The £5 million striker was suffering from stomach problems and went to hospital for precautionary checks.

But he was able to train yesterday and came through without any ill effects.

"My stomach kept cramping up and I was in some pain," said Sutton, who finished as Rovers' top goalscorer last season.

"But it seems it was just some kind of bug that was going around and I seem to have got over it.

"I got through training okay and now I need a good week to get ready for Saturday.

"It was a blow, because I have felt in really good nick during pre-season and sharp during training.

"I could really have done with a game at Sheffield on Sunday because I have only played one full game and a couple of halves.

"So I'm hoping I can now have a full week at Brockhall before Saturday's game which is a massive one for us.

"There have been a few injuries and that might affect the fitness levels of one or two players.

"But we are all looking forward to the first game and, if we can get off to a good start, it could set us up for the season.

"It took us 12 games to get a win last season and we don't want to be in that sort of situation again. "The new manager has already made a very good impression and immediately got the respect of the players in training.

"I'm sure we can have a good season but it's vital that everyone - including the fans who can make a big difference for us - is up for it on Saturday when a win would be just what we want."

Meanwhile, a Rovers deputation was heading for Wolverhampton today for the tribunals to decide the fees of goalkeepers Shay Given and John Filan.

Given, who quit Ewood at the end of last season when his contract expired, turned down new terms because of his need for first team football.

He joined Newcastle where Kenny Dalglish immediately handed him the number one role that Given needs to re-establish himself as the Republic of Ireland's first-choice keeper.

Rovers were expected to ask a fee of at least £2 million for Given, an outstanding young talent whose road to success at Ewood was barred only by the presence of Tim Flowers.

Newcastle, however, will be aiming to pay as little as possible and suggested at the end of last season that they might try to get the keeper on a free.

It could be a long hearing.

Filan's tribunal follows the Given case, with Coventry set to ask anything up to £1 million for the player they signed for £350,000 from Cambridge two years ago.

Rovers' valuation of the keeper is probably nearer £500,000.

Tickets for the first three Premiership matches against Derby (home), Aston Villa (away) and Liverpool (home) are currently on sale at Ewood. Darwen End seats for Saturday's opening fixture can also be bought at RoverStore Two in Ainsworth Mall in the town centre.

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