BILLY McKinlay is sweating on referee Mike Riley's report from Saturday's game against Leicester, when the Blackburn Rovers midfield man was cautioned for the sixth time this season.

The combative Scottish international went into the Filbert Street clash on 18 disciplinary points, and the danger mark is 21 points, bringing a two-match suspension.

Now McKinlay and Rovers must wait and see whether he collects two, three or four points for the latest yellow card.

If he reaches 21 points, he will have to miss the Premiership games against Middlesbrough on Saturday week and Newcastle on Boxing Day - two of the biggest matches of the season.

Caretaker-manager Tony Parkes, however, is keeping his fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

"I think there's a chance it will only be a two-pointer and that would, at least, mean he would be available a while longer," he said.

"With Garry Flitcroft having picked up an ankle injury, it would be a major blow if there was a chance of losing the two of them at the same time."

Rovers are hopeful that Flitcroft will make a fairly quick return but they can do nothing about McKinlay's situation, except wait and see. The Scot has played a big part in the Rovers revival but he has paid the price for his battling performances by falling foul of the officials.

When Parkes took over, following Ray Harford's departure, he immediately recalled McKinlay to his favourite central midfield role.

And, in the last six games, the player has collected five yellow cards!

The latest caution came towards the end of Saturday's fog-shrouded game when it appeared that McKinlay - wrongly, in the circumstances - thought Rovers had won possession and claimed the ball.

It will depend on the referee's interpretation of the incident, as to how many points he is given.

Under the present disciplinary system, players topping 21 points before the last Sunday in November receive a three-match ban.

From then until February, a two-game suspension applies. At the moment, there are no other senior players in immediate danger of being banned, which is good news with the busy Christmas and New Year period approaching.

It could be several days before Rovers are notified of the points given out for Saturday's cautions.

Rovers have home advantage in the FA Cup third round with First Division Port Vale the visitors to Ewood Park on January 4.

Vale boss John Rudge said: "It's a tremendous tie for us. I know our supporters and players will be lifted by the draw.

"We got good results against Everton and Leeds in the FA Cup last season and going up to Blackburn and getting a result is certainly not beyond us

"We are playing a team who were Premiership champions a couple of years ago and a side who have a host of internationals in their squad.

"Although they've struggled a little bit they've really started to recover under Tony Parkes. But we will go up to Blackburn very determined to do well and I think we can."

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