BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is optimistic both Steven Reid and Andre Ooijer will be fit to face Arsenal on Monday night.

With four senior first-team regulars already missing for the daunting trip to the Emirates Stadium, Hughes' threadbare resources were in danger of being stretched to the limit when Reid and Ooijer both pulled out of international duty with injuries earlier this week.

However, the Rovers chief has allayed fears that both men will join a list of absentees that already includes Chris Samba, Morten Gamst Pedersen and David Dunn, who are all suspended, and skipper Ryan Nelsen, who is still hampered by a hamstring problem.

"We hope they will both be okay," said Hughes.

"Andre and Steve both turned up for international duty and got assessed by their associations' medical people.

"Andre has issues with his hamstring, but they had a general chat and came to a sensible decision.

"And likewise, with the Irish FA. Steve has a bit of fluid on his knee, which he sometimes gets, and we now have the chance to take the fluid out.

"We don't think it will be a problem for Monday."

Hughes is also sweating on the availability of Matt Derbyshire because his partner is due to give birth to twins any day.

"Nothing has happened yet but it could affect us on Monday," said the Rovers boss.

"We wish them well but, ideally, he'll be a father before the weekend.

"It's his first ones - they're having twins - and they've been told it could happen at any time."

In the meantime, Australian midfielder Brett Emerton will be back in time to play in the game, despite flying halfway around the world during the international break to play in the Socceroos' Asian Cup qualifier against Qatar.

The Aussies kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 victory in Melbourne yesterday, and Emerton, who set up the opening goal and played a full 90 minutes, was due to fly back to England in the early hours of this morning, meaning he should be back at Brockhall in plenty of time to prepare for the Arsenal trip.

"It's good that we play on Monday because it gives us a bit more time to work with the squad," added Hughes.

"Sometimes you only see the guys maybe 12-15 hours before a Premier League game.

"Fortunately now we have a bit more of a window we can use."