RIVAL bosses Tony Parkes and Bryan Robson could face a striker crisis for Thursday's crunch Ewood clash between Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough, writes PETER WHITE.

Boro's Italian hitman Fabrizio Ravanelli has already been ruled out of the battle of the basement boys with the torn hamstring he suffered at Old Trafford yesterday.

And Rovers strikers Chris Sutton and Per Pedersen are both fighting to shake off hamstring problems of their own for the biggest game of the season so far at Ewood.

Following Middlesbrough's 3-3 draw with champions-elect Manchester United, Rovers now need to take one point from Robson's side on Thursday night to ensure they will be playing Premiership football again next season.

For Nottingham Forest, Coventry and Middlesbrough would then be unable to catch them and Parkes' prediction that 42 points represented the safety margin would have proved spot on.

But, while Ravanelli's injury has rocked the Teessiders, Rovers are also concerned about the chances of Sutton and Pedersen being available for the game.

Sutton had to be substituted halfway through the last home match against Sheffield Wednesday, after straining a hamstring, and he missed Saturday's defeat at Southampton.

Pedersen, fresh from scoring for Denmark, stepped in for him and suffered a similar injury - though not as bad.

"They could both be struggling," admitted Parkes. "There's time for them to make progress yet, the game is still a couple of days away, but it is a concern for us."

Parkes reported no other injury worries from Saturday's defeat and, significantly, Rovers left out any players who might be considered for the Middlesbrough game, when they played their final reserve team fixture of the season against Manchester United yesterday.

Paul Warhurst and Graham Fenton could be candidates to step in alongside Kevin Gallacher if both Sutton and Pedersen fail to make it.

And Parkes might even consider a change of formation, as Stuart Ripley has now rejoined Jason Wilcox in the squad after putting a nightmare injury period behind him.

The winger had his first taste of Premiership action at The Dell for more than six months when he went on as a substitute against Southampton.

Two goals from Paddy Connolly gave Rovers' B team a 2-0 win at Chester to complete their Lancashire League Second Division fixtures.

Rovers' Supporters' Association have been given use of the International Suite at Sunday's game against Leicester when they will entertain 150 visiting fans.

Bar meals will be available from 12 noon onwards and there are 150 tickets available for Supporters' Association members on a first-come basis at the away travel office in the RoverStore.

Membership cards must be produced to claim a pass for the end-of-season social event, aimed at encouraging better relations between rival fans.

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