KEVIN Gallacher looks to have the best chance of the four out-of-action Blackburn Rovers strikers of facing West Ham United in tomorrow's Premiership clash at Ewood.

And, if he can make it, it will boost his Scotland hopes before two important European Championship qualifiers.

Rovers boss Roy Hodgson said it was "touch and go" with the striker situation, though Kevin Davies will obviously be ruled out as he does not see the specialist for a check-up until Monday, following a severe throat infection.

Chris Sutton and Martin Dahlin have been resting with ankle and calf injuries respectively and Rovers were expected to look at them today before making any decisions. But the manager did not seem to hold out too much hope. There were still no indications as to how long Sutton might be absent, while Dahlin has been suffering from a virus as well as his injury.

It would make a big difference to confidence if Rovers were to get two, or even one, of them back for tomorrow's game.

But the odds did not seem all that favourable and the manager might have to come up with another experimental formation such as the one he adopted in Lyon.

Scotland boss Craig Brown was naming his squad today for the qualifiers against Estonia, a week on Saturday at Tynecastle, and the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie on Wednesday, October 14.

And Gallacher was being included, despite his persistent calf strain.

The striker said: "It is frustrating because I have not had an injury like this before and not playing means I am now badly short of the necessary match practice."

Brown agreed but would be almost as pleased as Hodgson if Gallacher made his Rovers return tomorrow.

"I am hoping that Kevin can get a game under his belt before this important match with Estonia, but he will still be in the squad even if the situation isn't perfect at the moment," said the Scottish boss. The question of strikers will dominate Rovers' build-up as they try to take heart from the fact that, even though poor results have dumped them in the Premiership's bottom three and they are now out of Europe, they have drawn the last two away games with depleted teams.

Hodgson's selection of a replacement for injured Sebastien Perez will be interesting.

Damien Johnson did a lot of good things when he replaced the Frenchman on the right-hand side in Lyon and must have a shout of making his full Premiership bow at Ewood.

The imminent two-week break was welcomed by the manager as it weill give the injured players time.

And he also ruled out going into the transfer market to solve what he believes will be short-term injury problems.

Rovers will hope to add at least one striker to the squad -- minus Perez -- on duty in Lyon: Flowers, Dailly, Henchoz, Peacock, Kenna, Flitcroft, McKinlay, Sherwood, Duff, Wilcox, Davidson, Johnson, Taylor, Dunn, Croft, Andersson, Filan.

West Ham could have midfielder Steve Lomas back in action after he was named in the Northern international squad.

Irish boss Lawrie McMenemy believes Lomas will be fit for tomorrow week, though he hasn't played for some time because of ankle problems. West Ham, unbeaten away, have also had one or two injury problems so far.

They seem likely to choose from: Hislop, Pearce, Ferdinand, Ruddock, Dicks, Sinclair, Lampard, Berkovic, Keller, Hartson, Wright, Moncur, Lazaridis, Impey, Potts, Omoyimni, Breacker, Hodges, Partridge, Lomas, Forrest.

Glenn Hoddle was due to announce his England squad today

Jeff Kenna and Damien Duff have both been included in the Republic of Ireland squads for the Euro qualifiers against Yugoslavia and Malta on October 10 and 14. David Worrell is named in the Republic under-21 squad against the same countries.

Alan Fettis is in the Northern Ireland squad to face Finland in Belfast tomorrow week, with Damien Johnson named for the under-21 match next Friday night at Ballymena. Young Ewood striker Gary Hamilton is on stand-by for the under-21s.

Tickets for the West Ham game will be available until kick-off time, priced £18-25, concessions where available are £10.

Rovers' Worthington Cup third round tie against Crewe Alexandra will be played at Gresty Road on Wednesday, October 28 (kick-off 7.45).

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