BILLY McKinlay looks set to take over in midfield from Garry Flitcroft, when Blackburn Rovers visit Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Flitcroft's lingering hopes of a change of heart by referee Jeff Winter, who showed the £3 million man a red card three minutes into his debut, were dashed yesterday.

And that means he starts a three-match suspension on Saturday.

But, as the door closes for Flitcroft, it opens for McKinlay, who was substituted at half time in last night's reserve game - a clear indication that he is the man Rovers boss Ray Harford favours as the replacement.

The Scottish international, a dominant force for 45 minutes last night, now has the chance to make a real impression in the closing weeks of the season.

For Flitcroft, who was desperately unlucky to see his Ewood career get off to such a traumatic start, could yet face further disciplinary action for topping 45 points.

The consolation for Harford is that, while there are still long-term injury problems at the club, he does now have plenty of cover and competition for places.

Matty Holmes would have come into the manager's thinking along with Nicky Marker and Paul Warhurst, who played his first game last night since damaging ribs against Leeds United nearly two months ago.

But I believe McKinlay will get the vote on Saturday against a team who will be burning to gain revenge for the 7-0 humiliation handed out by Rovers at Ewood last November.

It promises to be quite a different kind of confrontation tomorrow, with Forest having recovered from their UEFA Cup exit to hit top form in recent matches.

Meanwhile, central defender Adam Reed suffered a shoulder injury when he fell awkwardly playing for the reserves, who did their hopes of avoiding relegation from the Pontin's League First Division a power of good by beating Everton.

Reed was seeing a specialist, along with young goalkeeper Shay Given, who has been helping Sunderland to the brink of promotion to the Premier League.

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