GARRY Flitcroft, who is set to start a three-match suspension, could yet face double trouble under the Football Association disciplinary process, following his booking against Newcastle United on Monday night.

The Blackburn Rovers midfielder may well have to go before the FA for a personal hearing, as his latest caution seems likely to have taken him past the 45 points mark.

It could mean a rap from the authorities, a fine or even an extra suspension.

But the £3 million signing, who revelled in his role as he tasted success in a blue and white shirt for the first time on Monday, is determined to put his troubled start behind him.

Rovers have asked the FA to consult the referee who sent off Flitcroft on his Ewood debut, to see if he will reconsider his decision.

But such moves rarely succeed and his automatic ban is due to start on Saturday, so a decision needs to be imminent.

If the player then has to go before a disciplinary hearing, for his points total, he will be hoping to be treated leniently in view of the huge number of cautions and dismissals handed out these days.

Last season, Tim Sherwood was in a similar position and escaped a further ban.

But Flitcroft was feeling much better after Monday night's game, even though he has to cope with the disappointment of a probable three-match absence.

"After the disappointment of being sent off, I put it behind me," he said.

"I know the club have asked for the referee to look at it but I don't think he will change his mind.

"It's a sickener for me, especially as everyone I have spoken to says there was no way I should have been sent off.

"But there's nothing I can do about it now.

"We kept going against Newcastle and having the crowd behind you like that gives you a lift.

Meanwhile there should be a boost for Rovers tonight with the return to action of Paul Warhurst, after a rib injury, in the reserves against Everton at Deepdale (7pm kick-off).

Recent signing Gary Croft is also expected to get a game.

Rovers' reserve squad is: Mimms, Gill, Croft, McKinlay, Marker, Reed, Johnson, Holmes, Beattie, Warhurst, Duff, Morgan, Coughlan, Whealing.

Latest Double Your Money Club £500 winner is D Nuttall, Blackburn, number 817A.

Rovers Return £2,000 winner at the Newcastle game was M Barker, Langho, number 266517, and the Everton prize has now been claimed by S Hall, Blackburn, number 245502.

The new Tom Finney Stand at Deepdale will be officially opened by a pre-season friendly between Preston North End and Rovers on Monday, August 12.

Rovers accepted North End's invitation as part of their pre-season build-up.

Tickets for Saturday's Premiership game at Nottingham Forest are on open sale at Ewood, price £17 (£10 concessions). Seats are also on sale for next Wednesday's re-arranged home fixture against Wimbledon.

James Thomas scored a hat-trick as Rovers B team beat Marine 6-0. Tony Whealing, Graham Cassin and Junior Obeng got the others.

Paul Harford, son of Rovers boss Ray, has been training with Vauxhall Conference club Farnborough. He is one of several younger players at Ewood looking for new clubs.

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