BLACKBURN have been forced to scrap the high-profile early season Premiership clash with Manchester City - just 48 hours after its announcement!

Rovers were due to welcome Kevin Keegan's side to Ewood Park for the second home game of the season, on Wednesday August 27.

However, City's involvement in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round means the eagerly-awaited clash has had to be shelved, with a new date yet to be announced.

Rover's trip to Liverpool has also been shunted from its original date. The Anfield fixture, due to be played on Saturday April 3, 2004, has now been put back 24 hours because of a direct clash with next year's Grand National.