ALAN Shearer won't gamble on his long-term fitness if he has any doubts about the groin strain which threatens to wreck his 100 per cent appearance record for Blackburn Rovers.

The England striker, who missed the midweek international, is desperately keen to play against Everton at Ewood tomorrow in a game which should mark the debut of at least one of Rovers' two beat-the-deadline signings.

Shearer has a chance, with a last-minute test being planned.

But he said today: "I will not take a risk. But if I am not fit for tomorrow, I will definitely be fit for next week."

Both Shearer and Rovers boss Ray Harford dimissed suggestions that the injury was anything more than a straightforward groin strain. The manager has some important selection decisions to make tomorrow, once he knows about Shearer and also Tim Flowers, who is a slight doubt with a shoulder injury which caused him to miss the England game as a precaution.

And he has new boys Garry Flitcroft and Gary Croft available and in his squad.

Croft met his new colleagues today and was clearly relishing the prospect of linking up with a star-studded squad.

"I'm very excited, it's a fantastic opportunity for me to progress but it didn't sink in until I got here. Even when I was driving to Lancashire it didn't seem real," he said. "I had six great years at Grimsby but I think this is the right time for me to move and to come to such a fantastic club, such a huge club and the English champions is going to be a great experience for me and one I am going to relish."

Harford has lost Colin Hendry through a two-match ban - Nicky Marker could well switch to defence - and has also ruled out Chris Sutton and Lars Bohinen, whose recoveries have been put on hold by some reaction to their injuries.

He also said that Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox would be checked. But both came through a reserve game on Monday, with Ripley looking particularly sharp.

And skipper Tim Sherwood is available again. Former Manchester City man Flitcroft admitted he is ready for his first big battle at Ewood - to claim a place in the first team.

It would not be a surprise if he was given his chance against Everton, perhaps alongside Sherwood in the centre of midfield. Croft may have to be patient and settle for a place on the substitutes' bench.

There could be several changes but at least the manager now has plenty of choice.

Rovers look set to name their starting line-up from: Flowers, Berg, Coleman, Kenna, Fenton, McKinlay, Marker, Gallacher, Shearer, Newell, Flitcroft, Sherwood, Ripley, Wilcox, Croft, Mimms.

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