ROVERS have been rocked by a new injury setback to midfield marvel David Thompson.

Thompson has failed to fully recover from a long-standing knee problem, which first needed surgery last February.

Now the frustrated former Liverpool star will fly out to America next week for a consultation with crack US surgeon Richard Steadman, the man credited with saving the careers of Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Alan Shearer.

Rovers are desperate to discover why Thompson's knee is still swelling up every time he plays a game.

Specialists believed they had cured the player last February when he first went under the knife for what was believed to be routine knee injury.

But the problem proved to be more serious than first feared and Thompson ended up being sidelined for the best part of five months.

He then returned at the start of this season and his problems appeared to be behind him.

However, Thompson's knee has continued to cause him discomfort after matches and the club have now decided the time has come to seek a second opinion.

"David has had a difficult time with his knee," chief executive John Williams revealed. "The swelling is still there after games and it's disappointing for everyone concerned.

"He initially had surgery last February when the problem had been identified with the idea he would then have the summer to recover.

"As a remedy, he is going to the States on Monday to see a specialist. We are not sure yet whether this will entail surgery, but the club doctor, Phil Batty, will be travelling with David and we just have to wait and see."

Thompson is expected to spend a total of four days in America under the expert eye of Colorado-based Steadman, who has carved out an enviable reputation in the game after successfully treating the likes of Jamie Redknapp, Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy in the past, as well as Shearer and Van Nistelrooy.

ROOKIE Blackburn striker Paul Gallagher has not travelled with the Scottish U21 party for the upcoming double-header against Croatia on November 16 & 18.

Gallagher aggravated a niggly back problem when appearing as a substitute against Everton last Monday and will remain at Brockhall for treatment.

JAY McEveley is playing for England Under 20s against Wales tonight at Stoke.

ACADEMY defender Jon Fitzgerald has been called up to the Republic of Ireland Under 20 squad for the World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates from 27 November to 19 December.