ALAN Shearer will be cheered from every corner of Ewood Park tonight, as he bids to end his season on yet another record-breaking note.
The Blackburn Rovers and England striker has had to face up to the bitterly-disappointing blow of a minor operation to solve his long-standing groin injury.
And that should see Shearer fit for England duty in Euro 96.
But, before it, he has some unfinished business, attempting to become the first Rovers player ever to reach the 30-goal mark in three successive top-flight seasons.
Ted Harper managed two, the same as Shearer who stands on 29 Premiership goals in the current campaign.
"Hopefully I will be fit for the Wimbledon game and then that's it for me," said Shearer who hates missing games of any kind.
But it will be some consolation for being absent from the last two if it means he is fit and well to carry England's hopes in summer. England coach Terry Venables, who had to leave the striker out of his latest squad, said: "I spoke to Alan and his club. After having a rest they thought that might have solved the problem.
"But he says that in the last three games, it has got progressively worse and he is struggling.
"I don't think there will be a problem - his specialist and the club don't think so either. He should be out for three or four weeks."
The operation, which is only expected to involve an overnight stay in hospital, is a repair to the groin rather than major surgery.
Shearer will have to be checked before tonight's game (7-45pm kick-off) but will be determined to play and to try to finish his season in style.
Rovers will also have to check Graham Fenton, who took a kick in the back after going on as a substitute last Saturday. But they will probably be hoping to keep an unchanged team after that 5-1 win.
Rovers seem likely to choose from: Flowers, Berg, Hendry, Coleman, Kenna, Ripley, Sherwood, McKinlay, Wilcox, Shearer, Newell, Fenton, Gallacher, Marker, Croft, Mimms. Wimbledon have taken 13 points out of 15 and provide a real threat to Rovers' hopes of stepping up their challenge for a UEFA Cup spot.
They are expected to select from: Sullivan, Ardley, Perry, Pearce, Kimble, Cunningham, Jones, Earle, Gayle, Ekoku, Holdsworth, Reeves, Clarke, Goodman, Fear.
Last night's 1-1 draw between Everton and Liverpool helped Rovers' European cause and they could climb above the Goodison side with victory tonight.
Clitheroe's Wembley-bound squad will be guests of honour at Ewood and are expected to make an appearance on the pitch at half time.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article