CHRIS Sutton set his sights on Premiership safety for Blackburn Rovers today and declared: "Don't panic".
The £5 million striker, cleared to face Leeds United at Elland Road tonight after a severe bout of concussion, is confident Rovers can pull clear of the drop zone by their own efforts.
But he wants survival to be secured as soon as possible, so that they can repay the faith of the fans in the remaining matches.
Coventry's shock win at Anfield yesterday has increased the pressure on the rest in the danger area and Rovers will be looking over the shoulders as they tackle Leeds in front of the Sky cameras (kick-off 8pm).
"The one thing we shouldn't do is panic, because of the form we have shown in the past few months," said Sutton, who saw a neurologist after being knocked unconscious in Rovers' last match - 16 days ago.
"Our problem now is the pressure side of it, but we are still in 13th position and we are probably due a couple of clean sheets.
"It doesn't matter whether you play at home or away, it's just as tense and we know it's vital to try to get something at Leeds.
"With our superior goal difference, I think we might need 39 points. "There's no time to relax at the moment but if we can get a win quickly, then we can relax and try to turn on the style for the fans in the remaining games.
"We've got seven games left and if we play so badly that we don't pass 40 points in that time then we would deserve to go down.
"But I think we are in a good enough position."
Sutton is set to spearhead Rovers' attack and caretaker-boss Tony Parkes must decide whether to play him on his own or go for a two-man strike force, with either Kevin Gallacher or Per Pedersen alongside him. Gallacher is the man in form at the moment and will start either up front or wide on the right. Lars Bohinen looks set to return to the team, in place of suspended Tim Sherwood, with Colin Hendry taking over the captain's armband.
Rovers have one or two minor knocks to check but also have Ian Pearce fit again.
They will choose from: Flowers, Kenna, Berg, Hendry, Le Saux, Bohinen, McKinlay, Flitcroft, Gallacher, Sutton, Wilcox, Pedersen, Marker, Donis, Warhurst, Fenton, Croft, Pearce, Duff, Given.
Leeds have two men suspended, Dutchman Robert Molenaar and Carlton Palmer.
They are also without Tony Yeboah and Lucas Radebe, who were both playing international matches yesterday.
Their squad is expected to be: Martyn, Kelly, Wetherall, Halle, Dorigo, Rush, Bowyer, Sharpe, Laurent, Deane, Wallace, Ford, Lilley, Jackson, Harte, Gray, Beeney.
Rovers A team lost 1-0 to Burnley, Ian Helliwell scoring the only goal. The B team drew 1-1 with Bury, with Michael Lomax on target.
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