RAY Harford takes Blackburn Rovers to Nottingham Forest tomorrow knowing that sixth place in the Premiership might yet be good enough to clinch a UEFA Cup spot for next season.
The Premier League have appealed against the loss of a European place, one of the penalties imposed in the wake of last summer's Intertoto Cup farce.
And that appeal is due to be considered by UEFA next Friday.
If successful, it would mean the restoration of England's fourth UEFA Cup place and, barring dramatic changes in present positions, the team finishing sixth in the table would then qualify.
All that puts extra emphasis on tomorrow's City Ground clash with both Rovers and Forest among the clubs fighting to claim a place in Europe.
Beaten only once at home this season, Forest are favourites to finish above Rovers, unless Harford's side can cause an upset.
The Rovers boss has to find a replacement for suspended Garry Flitcroft - Billy McKinlay looks hot favourite to take over in midfield - and he must also decide whether to give striker Graham Fenton a place in the starting line-up. Fenton went on as a substitute against Newcastle on Monday night and scored two goals to snatch a dramatic victory.
The 21-year-old is competing with Mike Newell for the role alongside Alan Shearer.
Harford seems unlikely to make any other changes, unless there are unexpected late problems.
It's a big disappointment for two of Rovers' long-term injury victims to miss tomorrow's clash.
Lars Bohinen misses a chance to face his old club, while Chris Sutton's ankle problems prevent him playing on the ground where he supported Forest as a youngster.
Last season, Sutton went back to his home city and scored both goals in a 2-0 Rovers win.
Time is running out for both and a serious comeback this season is starting to look increasingly unlikely with only three weeks left.
"Lars has worked so hard to get back and his calf injury has been getting better, but he has also suffered an Achilles strain," said Harford.
"That's the kind of thing that happens when you are coming back from injury and, having been out for so long, it also takes time to get match fit.
"Chris will have a scan on his ankle, just as a precaution, to see how it is progressing."
Tomorrow, Rovers look set to choose the starting line-up from: Flowers, Berg, Hendry, Coleman, Kenna, Ripley, Sherwood, McKinlay, Wilcox, Shearer, Newell, Fenton, Gallacher, Croft.
Forest have struck form recently, beating Tottenham and Leeds in their last two matches. They have Des Lyttle available again and must decide whether to recall him in place of Alf-Inge Haaland at right back.
But Haaland could well keep his place with Forest naming an unchanged team.
They are expected to choose from: Crossley, Haaland, Chettle, Cooper, Pearce, Stone, Bart-Williams, Gemmill, Woan, Campbell, Roy, Lyttle, Howe, McGregor, Phillips.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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