Mixed News From Ewood Park

[Alan75]

With less than 48 hours to go before the 2003-2004 Premier League kicks off there is disappointing and exciting news coming out of Ewood Park.

Premier League Debut Disappointment.

It would appear that summer signings Emerton and Reid will miss Saturdays Premier League kick off due to suspension and injury.

Rovers are appealing against a notification that they only received last week, that Bret Emerton is to be suspended for one game as a result of two yellow cards he received at his former club Feyenoord.

Meanwhile Steven Reid is making steady progress with an ankle injury he received in a pre season friendly at Bray, although the game against Wolves on Saturday may come to soon for the midfielder.

Reserves Joy

Blackburn reserves kicked off the season with a 3-0 win against Birmingham City reserves at Christie Park last night.

Rovers took the lead on the half hour with a goal by Cicco Grabbi, and went 2-0 up midway through the second half with a goal by Ciaran Donnelly, with Jerome Watt making it 3-0 in injury time.

International Call Ups.

A number of Rovers players have been called up for next weeks internationals.

Emerton and Neill have been called up for Australia, who play the Republic of Ireland, who have called up Steben Reid, whilst Tugay has been called up by Turkey, for their game against Moldova.

Meanwhile striker Paul Gallagher has been called up to the Scotland U21 squad, who play Norway next Tuesday.

Rovers Deny Transfer Rumour.

Blackburn Chief Executive John Williams has denied media speculation that claims Rovers have made a bid for the Glasgow Ranger player Barry Ferguson