BLACKBURN Rovers defender Craig Short may have to undergo surgery on his troublesome groin problem.

The 31-year-old is booked in to see a specialist tomorrow because the problem has shown few signs of clearing up.

And he could be out of action until the New Year if the examination deems an operation is required.

It's a bitter blow for the former Everton man who has had something of a torrid time since moving from Goodison in a £2.1million move in the summer.

A catalogue of injury problems have dogged him for most of the season.

And he also missed some action through suspension after getting sent off against Grimsby.

But it's also a blow for caretaker boss Tony Parkes who only has youngster Martin Taylor as central defensive cover as Rovers prepare to enter a busy festive programme.

"He's going to see a specialist tomorrow and it could be a little bit more serious than we first thought," said Parkes.

"But we need to get it checked out because it's gone on for too long now.

"Surgery may well be a possibility but we'll have to wait to see what the specialist says.

"But he'll certainly need some rest at the very least so I don't expect him to be available for a while.

"That's a blow for me and for Craig because he's not really had the chance to get properly going since he joined us.

"Every time he battles back from one problem he seems to be hit by another.

"So it's very unfortunate for the lad."

Parkes did receive some better news last night, however, as Billy McKinlay took another step on his injury comeback with an appearance for the reserves in their 3-3 draw against Liverpool. McKinlay has now played twice for the second string after being out for almost a year with a pelvic problem.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Alan Kelly isn't letting the switches in defensive affect his own game at the moment.

Short, Martin Taylor and Darren Peacock have all played in front of the Irish international alongside Christian Dailly this season making it difficult to build up an understanding.

But Kelly believes Rovers have the experience to cope with the enforced chopping and changing.

"We've had a few switches in that position with Darren Peacock, Craig Short and Martin Taylor all in and out of the side recently," said Kelly.

"But we all train together and we are experienced enough to know our jobs.

"It's all down to good communication on the pitch. If you are getting good information then you are going to create less problems for yourself."

Kelly, himself, has been in magnificent form since displacing John Filan from the number one jersey.

And he is thriving on the competition between the pair at the minute.

"I've had to be patient since I've arrived but now I've got my chance it's all about what I do now I'm in.

"I've been used to that before in my time at Sheffield United with Simon Tracey.

"So competition is the name of the game these days and it's good for the club that we've got two keepers competing because it keeps everyone on their toes. "Obviously, keeping a clean sheet is your yardstick as a keeper and keeping a couple during my last few games has been very satisfying.

"It's all about results at the moment and if a clean sheet can help to get a result then all well and good."

On the managerial front, Bruce Rioch and Alan Curbishley remain on a short list of four for the Ewood job.

Colin Todd is also known to have featured on the short list and Graeme Souness remains the fans' favourite to take over the reins from Parkes.

Neither Charlton nor Norwich have been approached for permission to talk to their managers.

But chief executive John Williams and secretary Tom Finn were away from their Ewood offices yesterday afternoon.

The Rovers Youth side gave a good professional performance away at Essex side Hullbridge Sports in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, the first round for the big guns.

On a terrible pitch and in front of a big crowd Rovers won 6-0.

Ben Burgess scored two, with the other goals coming from a Steve Flitcroft penalty, Marc Richards, Stuart Howson and an own goal from a Lee Hardy cross, to see Rovers safely into the fourth round.

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