BARNSLEY are likely to have to come up with some hard cash if they want to keep Blackburn Rovers' teenage defender Keith Brown at Oakwell, where he has made a big impression.

Young Scot Brown has played four first team games for Barnsley since joining them on a month's loan, which expires this weekend.

And, while both he and Oakwell boss Dave Bassett would like to extend the temporary agreement, Rovers are unwilling to continue the arrangement at the moment. "They have had the opportunity to have a good look at him and we don't see any grounds for extending the loan," explained Ewood chief executive John Williams.

Bassett has had informal talks about the situation with Rovers boss Brian Kidd and there could be developments over the next couple of days.

Brown is certainly enjoying his first taste of senior football and he said: "I would love to stay longer. But that's up to Dave Bassett and Brian Kidd.

"I am best off getting first team football and experience and Barnsley is a good place.

"Blackburn are a big club but so are Barnsley. I am happy just to be getting a chance in the first team."

And another of Rovers' First Division rivals are looking enviously towards Ewood for re-inforcements, with Sheffield United considering a move for 20-year-old Ewood winger Andy McAvoy

It will depend on how much McAvoy has impressed Blades manager Adrian Heath in two reserve team appearances.

The pacey winger started last night's Pontin's League match at Blackpool, where United were beaten, with Heath expected to make a decision soon on whether or not to pursue his interest. Meanwhile, suggestions of a sensational recall for Jason McAteer to international duty were ruled out today by Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy.

And it is most unlikely Rovers would have been agreeable to the move anyway.

With skipper Roy Keane and his usual deputy, Ewood's Lee Carsley, both injured McCarthy was considering additions to the squad for this weekend's crucial Euro 2000 qualifier against Macedonia in Skopje.

But McCarthy, who has been awarded a new £350,000 two-year contract as Irish boss, has rejected the chance to call up McAteer or former captain Andy Townsend who quit the international scene two years ago.

Both were said to be willing to help out but the Irish boss has decided to keep faith in his current back-up brigade.

He said: "I was pleased that Andy said he would make himself available if needed but he was not fit for West Bromwich Albion's game against Wolves on Sunday and I don't think it is fair to bring him in now over other members of the squad.

"It is the same situation with Jason. He has done very well for us over the past few seasons but, since his injury, he's played just one reserve game and that's not enough."

That leaves the way open for Portsmouth's Alan McLoughlin, who scored the goal against Northern Ireland in Belfast five years ago which clinched the Republic's place in the World Cup finals in the United States.

Ewood keeper Alan Kelly seems a likely starter for the Republic, competition is tougher for Damien Duff and Jeff Kenna. As well as losing the likes of Rovers winger Keith Gillespie through injury for Saturday's final Euro 2000 qualifier in Finland, Northern Ireland boss Lawrie McMenemy has defensive problems.

Northern Ireland cannot qualify but hope to salvage some pride.

Callum Davidson and Christian Dailly may be needed by Scotland in their meaningless final qualifier against Lithuania on Saturday. Craig Brown's team have already made the play-offs but, with several changes already planned, the two Rovers men could well be called upon again to start.

And Nathan Blake will be looking to impress Mark Hughes, the permanent manager-in-waiting of Wales, when he is expected to go up against Switzerland at Wrexham.

Away from the qualifiers, recent Kidd signing Per Frandsen is back in the Danish squad. He will be hoping for a recall to the side when Denmark take on Iran in Sunday's Copenhagen friendly.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.