MATT Jansen has a bruised kidney and must be regarded as a doubtful starter for Blackburn Rovers' first away game of the new season at Huddersfield on Friday night.

The former Crystal Palace striker was hurt during Saturday's opening goalless draw with Port Vale at Ewood and medical checks have highlighted the injury.

Initially there were fears Jansen might have a rib problem after taking a hefty knock during the second half but the problem has now been diagosed and it is still bad news for manager Brian Kidd.

"Matt is in quite a bit of pain and we'll have to look at him later in the week," said Kidd.

"The injury is why we substituted him on Saturday and he must be regarded as very doubtful for Huddersfield."

Jansen started the season in a front three that also involved Kevin Davies and Damien Duff but failed to produce a goal. Kevin Gallacher had to be content with a place on the bench against Port Vale and is an obvious contender to replace Jansen at the McAlpine Stadium if he has to stand down for Friday's game.

Kidd travelled to Scunthorpe last night for a personal check on Huddersfield, who have ex-Rovers players George Donis and Scott Sellars in their ranks.

Meanwhile, Keith Gillespie is fit again and has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for next Wednesday's glamour friendly against world champions France in Belfast. The winger is the only Rovers player included in the 22-man squad with no place for goalkeeper Alan Fettis who has lost his spot on the international scene following his lack of senior football at Ewood.

Alan Kelly's arrival means that Fettis is still number three in the Rovers rankings and really needs a move to get his career going again.

But, despite some speculation, there have not yet been any offers.

Damien Johnson may be a little disappointed only to be selected for the under-21 side to play France on Tuesday.

Johnson has impressed Northern Ireland boss Lawrie McMenemy but the manager as opted for players with more experience in the senior squad against France.

Ewood chief executive John Williams was mystified by a report in one of today's tabloids that Rovers' simultaneous screening of their game against Port Vale on the giant TV was being investigated by the League.

"We are allowed to both record and show the game while it is being played, as long as there is no interference with the play and we do not replay controversial incidents," he said.

"To check all the sightlines etc, we showed the friendly against Liverpool first and we are very careful to brief our producer on just what can and cannot be shown."

The story also implicated Tottenham for their Monday-night game against Newcastle and, watching on Sky, it appeared the London club did replay controversial incidents, which is against the guidelines.

The Football League's Director of Communications Peter Rowe said that as far as he was aware nothing untoward had happened at the Ewood screening.

"All our clubs have been issued with very strict guidelines and know exactly what they can and cannot show."

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