DAVID Thompson is set to lose his race to be fit for the Premiership kick-off against West Bromwich Albion tomorrow.

The midfielder was withdrawn from Tuesday's reserve game against Everton in the first half with a thigh strain, that could put his long-awaited first team comeback behind schedule.

Thompson suffered a recurrence of a serious knee injury last November and hasn't played since, but his latest setback isn't considered a long term problem.

However, Rovers boss Graeme Souness thinks it's still too early to ease him back into the first team fold.

"The only thing that's going to get David Thompson fit is playing competitive games,'" said Souness. "He's not ready for the challenge yet."

Lucas Neill also faces a late fitness test after going over on his ankle in training yesterday, which could give Souness a problem filling the right back role.

Steven Reid, who has played in the position before, will miss the first 10 weeks of the season so if Neill is out it gives the manager a selection headache on the opening day.

Souness has previously indicated that Jonathon Douglas has a potential future as a right back and Brett Emerton could even be a surprise contender for the position.

Neill's fellow Australian caught the eye there at Bray Wanderers in Rovers' final pre-season friendly last Saturday.

It's likely that Emerton will be required further up the field, however, as Thompson is set to be absent.

Better news comes in the form of Brad Friedel, who has recovered from a hip injury and is set to take his place between the sticks.

But whatever injury problems are thrown up during the season, Souness is convinced he has a squad better prepared to cope with it.

He said: "We have got cover in more positions and a couple who can play in several positions and that will stand us in good stead over the next nine or 10 months.

"Last year the team picked itself too often, which wasn't a healthy position for Blackburn to be in."

Meanwhile, Rovers' chances of netting a cash windfall from the sale of James Beattie before the

transfer window closes are moving a step nearer.

The Southampton striker is reported to have slapped in a transfer request and put his house up for sale, with Charlton emerging as the favourites to sign him.

Spurs are also said to be interested, but Aston Villa, who offered £4.2m plus Swedish striker Marcus Allback earlier in the week, are unlikely to increase their bid.

A sell-on clause means Rovers could scoop something in the region of £1m if Beattie sold for his likely valuation of £6m.

When the Lancaster-born Beattie was sold to the Saints in 1998 for £1m, Rovers ensured any future sale would give them a cut of future profits, believed to be 20 per cent.

Beattie has since gone on to play for England after scoring 65 goals in 193 Premiership appearances.

Rovers chiefs have confirmed that any money they receive from Beattie's sale will be pumped into the playing squad, increasing the chances of more signings before the end of August.