ALAN Kelly is on stand-by for his first Blackburn Rovers League call-up after Australian keeper John Filan injured a shoulder in the Worthington Cup tie at Leeds.

But, while Rovers boss Brian Kidd will be forced to wait and see if Filan is fit to face Grimsby Town at Ewood tomorrow, he should be able to welcome back two missing midfielders.

Lee Carsley (bruised foot) has returned to training and Per Frandsen, cup tied in midweek, are both expected to be in contention for a place.

Filan damaged his shoulder making a superb first-half save at Elland Road and faces a late fitness test.

He needed lengthy treatment but, on the positive side, was able to complete the match.

But Kidd will not have any concerns if he has to play Kelly, signed from Sheffield United as a replacement for Tim Flowers.

The Republic of Ireland keeper played in both legs of the Worthington Cup tie against Portsmouth and has also been in outstanding form on the international stage.

His performances were a major reason why the Irish managed to clinch a play-offs place in the face of fierce competition from two of the leading countries in world football, Yugoslavia and Croatia. As well as Carsley and Frandsen, Kidd should also have the likes of Jason Wilcox, Christian Dailly, Callum Davidson, Simon Grayson and Nathan Blake available after they were all given a midweek break.

So he will have plenty of choice.

"Lee (Carsley) has done some training and not had a reaction so far," said Kidd.

"So we are hoping he will be okay. "And, obviously, Per Frandsen will be available again.

"But we'll have to look at John Filan before making any decisions."

After failing to win either of their last two League games, both away, Rovers need to get back on track against Grimsby and to start climbing the table.

They cannot afford to fall too far behind if they are to mount a serious challenge for promotion later in the season.

Kidd has decisions to make in all areas of the team tomorrow but he will be pleased to have Craig Short fit again for the centre of defence.

Rovers look like choosing from: Filan, Kenna, Short, Taylor, Dailly, Peacock, Grayson, Davidson, Johnson, Dunn, Carsley, Frandsen, Duff, Wilcox, Ward, Jansen, Ostenstad, Blake, Kelly.

Grimsby boss Alan Buckley certainly has no fears about visiting Ewood, especially with his team in a good vein of form at the moment.

He said of Rovers: "They are a millionaire type of club, not in the tradition of Liverpool or clubs like that, but they have been competing with them financially.

"Obviously, with the resources and the players at their disposal, they are many people's favourites to win this division.

"And, perhaps at this stage, Brian Kidd will be a little disappointed at their position.

"We have a good run of form going in the League and we should be confident about playing them there.

"It's nice to go there ninth (in the table), it's a lovely stadium, a lovely pitch and it should suit us."

Ex-Rovers striker Steve Livingstone, who plays as a central defender these days, is out of action for Grimsby at the moment with a broken toe. But another former Ewood player Wayne Burnett, who didn't feature at first team level after being signed during the Kenny Dalglish days, could line up in midfield.

Grimsby should also have Mark Lever available again after injury to strengthen their defence.

But he might have to wait after the Mariners have won their last two games without him.

Buckley is expected to choose from: Coyne, Butterfield, Smith, Groves, Gallimore, Donovan, Caldicott, Burnett, Smith, Ashcroft, Lester, Lever, Pouton, Allen, Black, Crowdson.

Rovers game against Bolton Wanderers has been switched from Wednesday December 1 to Tuesday December 7 (kick-0ff 7.45pm) due to Bolton's involvement in the Worthington Cup 4th Round.

Rovers game away at Charlton has been arranged for Tuesday November 30 (kick-off 8pm).

Marlon Broomes is facing the prospect of surgery on an old ankle injury which could have been a contributing factor towards his hamstring problems.

Club doctor Phil Batty explained: "He hasn't really got the full range of movement (in the ankle) and we are looking at ways we can increase it. We think his hamstring problems are a result of that.

"We are looking at various options and an operation is very likely."

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