Rovers have anounced Barry Feguson has put in a transfer request. John Williams has said the "situation will now be considered by the board"

Blackburn Rovers manager, Mark Hughes, has promised to "put out his strongest available squad" for tomorrow night's third round FA Cup replay against Cardiff City. In recent seasons many Rovers fans have felt the cup competitions have not been treated seriously with attendances often reflecting the public statements of previous managers. With the manager and team showing a determination to take this competition seriously the players need the fans to turn out in numbers to support their efforts on the pitch. Early news from Rovers confirms that neither Barry Ferguson nor Garry Flittcroft (both injured) will be available for selection. Ryan Nelsen, who made an encouraging debut at Portsmouth last Saturday, will have to wait for his home debut as he is not eligible for this round of the cup. Rumours from Cardiff indicate the Bluebirds could bring as many as 3000 travelling fans. This coupled with local reports of telephone queues for tickets in the home areas suggests Wednesday's attendance may be higher than originally anticipated. Join the pre-match discussion the messageboard

Flittcroft and Ferguson are definetley unavailable through injury. Ryan Nelsen is unavailable as his registration did not come through in time. Hughes will "put out his strongest squad"

I voted the prices were too expensive BUT haven't gone for the cheap option. We've stumped up full whack for our usual seats.... though we did get an extra adult for £19 instead of £24 Should add I feel better about the price now then when it was first announced. For Rovers the problem will rpbably be the first impression the announcement created. Still believe the original full price is/was too high. Phoned the T/O earlier and was sixth in the queue for Bolton tickets

Capacity is only 3 0,500

Words of great wisdom from a player who failed at Old Trafford, presumably doesn't know Ferguson and is now establishing himself as a key member of the team that played Dunfermline on Saturday. Listen up Barry a world of experience there.

Since my post I've read the Sunday Times. Page three carries a roughly one-quarter shot of Rooney celebrating his goal with Ronaldo in front of the Kop. Ronaldo face is lit with genuine pleasure, Rooney's is screwed up with hate and defiance. I don't think this was shown on MOTD. I can't reacll seeing a similar look on a footballer's face in all the time I've watched the game. For Rooney's sake I hope Ferguson sees the photograph, which I can't find on the web, and has more than a word in the lad's ear. If someone does not take him in hand he'll be the next Gazza in every sense, it's as plain as day.

Just seen MOTD and interesting to note several things about MGP. A nice, albeit offside, effort against the bar; a very well taken goal - great ball from Thomo but MGP still had work to do; he was first to Friedel after Faye's foul which suggests he was tracking back? plus he's clearly learnt a bit of Anglo-Saxon

Anyone notice Rooney's behaviour at Anfield yesterday? Celebration in front of the Kop and a reckless tackle leading to his booking. This lad could self-destruct if he doesn't learn to control to himself.

An interesting article in today's Observer 'The Premier League's official line is that stadiums are operating at over 90 per cent capacity and that everything is fine,' he added. 'But the reality is that, beneath the surface, there are worrying trends, such as the fact that the ability to watch 50 minutes of highlights of any Premier League game at 10.15 on Sky on a Saturday night is making some fans who used to travel now stay at home.'

Blackburn Rovers continued the steady improvement seen at the club under Mark Hughes with a 1 - 0 win at Fratton Park which the manager described as "...a vital win for us" Hughes spoke of his delight at the contributions from the two debutants Ryan Nelsen and Aaron Mokoena both making their first full appearances in the Premier League "We were worried before the game having lost two defenders and both central midfielders but the lads who came in where excellent." In what has been described as a "fiery encounter" and a "miserable match" Portsmouth had two players sent off for violent conduct. Lualua was dismissed in the 5ist minute for head butting Andy Todd. Fout minutes later Morton Gamst Pedersen scored his debut league goal for Rovers when he latched on to a clever pass from David Thompson and dinked the ball past Shaka Hislop in the Pompey goal. In the 90th minute Portsmouth's Faye was sent off following a wild challenge on Brad Friedel. Portsmouth: Hislop, Stone (Taylor 20), Primus, De Zeeuw,Stefanovic, LuaLua, Faye, O'Neil, Berger, Yakubu,Kamara (Fuller 86). Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Unsworth, Hughes. Sent Off: LuaLua (51), Faye (90). Booked: O'Neil, Faye. Blackburn: Friedel, Nelsen, Todd, Mokoena, Johansson, Emerton,Tugay (Reid 76), Thompson, Pedersen, Gallagher (Jansen 74),Dickov. Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Stead, Gray. Booked: Nelsen, Mokoena, Johansson, Emerton, Tugay, Dickov. Goals: Pedersen 55. Att: 19,904. Join the post match discussion HERE

On the homesickness business? Well you make your own life. While I'm sure Mr and Mrs F may miss home it is only 3 hours away. Footballers chose how they build their lives. You can have money and lead an ordinary life. Has Mrs F never heard of the school gate? This is how most families build new lives and relationships or are the Ferguson family so used to money and having their own way the effort is too great? We all develop new friendships, relationships etc as we go through life. Join a tennis club dear. Or is Hamilton such an inward looking place that moving out of Lanarkshire is totally traumatic. I think you are pretty close with your assessment Jan.

Apologies to any this might offend, my wife is Scottish, it's a great country. An interesting article by a journalist writing in a broadsheet. Generally this means he has to try to be clever, witty and offer insight. Which makes our Phil something of a failure - bu then by his own admission he only managed a year himself in the PL of journalism - London. Comparing Blackburn and Hamilton? Does anyone seriously believe Ferguson, van Bronckhurst, Larsson or McStay actually LIVED in Hamilton. Just as BF doesn't actually live in Blackburn. Anyone been to Hamilton? It's the pits. The sights of Glasgow are only 20 minutes away. True a very vibrant and exciting city just like Manchester only 40 minutes away. errrr.....excuse me, I thought these people were grown ups. Get on with it, like the rest of us. Mr. Gordon we are talking about the mickey mouse league, I could penetrate a mdifield up there. I hope Ferguson stays as he is undoubtedly a good player, that he is lauded Scottish captain shows the poverty of Scottish football. One thing which interests me is I was one of 2 or 3 who suggested Ferguson wasn't worth the money from the very beginning - now it seems half of Blackburn agrees?

Ahead of tomorrow's important league game with Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers welcome three players back into the squad as Matt Jansen, Jay Bothroyd and Tugay are all available for selection. The good news is tinged by the likely abscence of captain Barry Ferguson (doubtful to play) and the suspended Lucas Neil and Dominic Matteo.

Latest reports from SSN and the BBC suggest that Robbie Savage is "poised" to sign for Blackburn Rovers. Mark Hughes, manager, is officially quoted on the club site as saying "I want one in but none out"

Sounds good from the BBC Hughes quoted from the club: "I want one in but none out"

John Viola - what a Pansy

At midnight on 31st January rosie. However at the start of the window the FA didn't allow player registrations until 4th January (bank holidays etc) so I wouldn't be surprised if there is a slight extension into early February.

Are we? I hadn't picked up on that, mind you I stopped reading the Savage thread a while back.

I must be feeling especially mellow today as I feel the one view we should all take on board is Ferguson's personal situation. Fans have been hoping we will sign Savage, a player who professes he wants to move for family reasons. If Ferguson wishes to return to Scotland because he is homesick one can imagine the same applies to his family. If we expect Savage to come to Rovers we can't really criticise Ferguson for leaving for much the same reason.

Question I'm hoping Philip can answer or at least provide a little insight. This clearly assumes a deal is going to be done, which despite my views on Ferguson I hope it isn't. Rovers paid £6.5m for Ferguson. I believe it is unusual for clubs to simply pay in full for a player at the time of the transfer deal. Can we assume Ferguson is still not fully paid for yet? Rangers are said to have bid £3.5m. Could it be that Rovers have to date only paid £3.5m to Rangers and the two clubs have now agreed to wipe out the remaining £3m that Rovers owe Rangers? From a financial view is it possible for the clubs to work in this manner and, if so, what are the financial implacations on the balance sheet? Should this be the position Rovers might simply be freeing up £3.5m cash for a player they know wants to return home?

I think we all know the club cocked up the published prices but I would like to say in their defence it is easily done. The problem for the club is there are several thousand people scrutinizing the prices and probably just a couple of club employee's checking what's published. Doesn't excuse this happening but I do feel this aspect of the Cardiff issue is just an unfortunate admin balls up. It does happen.

Blackburn Rovers have today rejected a bid from Glasgow Rangers for the club captain Barry Ferguson. Speaking on the club web site John Williams stated "We have received an offer from Rangers but we have informed them Barry is not for sale" Ferguson has been the subject of much speculation linking him to a return to Scotland during the current transfer window. Some media reports suggest Rangers will buy the midfielder for a cut-price £3m as he is keen to return to Glasgow, while other sources quote Ferguson as being "very happy at Blackburn" Read the transfer thread here

Having read all of this with interest and given the subject a lot of thought it seems Rovers need to look to a future solution, which needn't be complicated. The whole issue hinges around finance and supporters expectation: Tris: Glenn (commenting on the ST voucher idea): Ewood Spark: It seems many, myself included, see a cup match in the early rounds as a lower value product. This has been reinforced by Rovers discounting in previous seasons. As Glenn points out vouchers will not work because the club have to stump up the difference in price to the opposition. Equally as Ewood Spark says the club need to concentrate on the hardcore 5000+. To resolve this for future games the club could identify those who regularly attend these early cup games. Attendance at the early round League Cup games would entitle the supporter to a discounted ticket for the next home cup game against lower league opposition. The club could define the qualifying type of match e.g 3rd and 4th round FA cup against opposition from , e.g, leagues 1 and 2. Exceptions could be published - local derbies with PNE, Dingles, Oldham etc. A scheme on this basis might encourage fans to attend LC games and would reward those who did so. Discuss?

I would regard this as right on the nail. For a replay against a side currently 21st in the championship my expectation was £10, at £15 I wouldn't have moaned, I hadn't even considered it would be full price.