JEFF Kenna is still clinging to the hope of being fit for the start of the new Football League season on August 7, but he won't be taking any chances.

The Blackburn Rovers full back is waiting to see the surgeon who carried out his Achilles operation and expects to receive the green light to step up his recovery work.

And, while he will not be able to join in full training with the rest of the squad when they report back, Kenna remains optimistic that he will have time to catch up before the serious business begins.

"I have made as good a recovery as I could have expected but I haven't really done anything since the beginning of March," he said.

"That's a long time, it takes its toll and I am going to have to do a lot of running.

"I have spoken to the gaffer and he is just concerned that, as I have been out for so long, I don't pick up other injuries, such as a hamstring, when I am working to get back.

"While my Achilles might be fine, that can often be the case.

"The gaffer wants me fit for the start of the season if possible but, more important, for the whole of the season.

"I would like to think I won't be far off when the season starts.

"I don't want to miss any games and I am hoping to be fit. But if I have to miss a couple so be it. We'll have to wait and see." Manager Brian Kidd stressed that there would not be any extra pressure put on the likes of Kenna, who have had long-term injuries.

"The last thing we want is for them to be breaking down again," he said.

The player hopes to go on the club's pre-season tour of Sweden and Norway so that he can concentrate on his build-up back to full fitness and, depending on his progress, might even be able to have a taste of match action.

But it remains to be seen whether that will be possible.

Kenna's problem was a particularly nasty one, with the sheath which protects the Achilles sticking to the tendon.

"It was a decompression of my Achilles and I actually did it on Boxing Day when Julian Joachim landed on me and went right down the back of my leg," he explained.

He managed to play on through the pain barrier but, by overcompensating, damaged his calf muscle as well and his last appearance of the season was against Newcastle on February 24 when he had to be substituted.

In the last few weeks, Kenna has been doing some rehabilitation work, mainly cycling and walking on the treadmill in the gym.

But he will be delighted to get the go-ahead to step up and is eager to do all he can to ensure Kidd can count on him as soon as possible.

Rovers are in the process of finalising pre-season games at reserve team level and also for the under-17, under-18 and under-19 teams.

Virtually all of them will be away, with reserve games against Bolton and Darlington already arranged.

Among the fixtures for the youth sides are games at Leeds and Middlesbrough and, possibly, a trip to Scotland to play Celtic and Motherwell.

Sunderland's decision to put Lee Clark on the transfer list is unlikely to prompt any action at Ewood, even though Rovers have been linked with the midfielder in the past.

With the likes of Garry Flitcroft, Billy McKinlay, Lee Carsley and David Dunn all expected to be battling for places in the centre of midfield next season, they should be well served in that department.

Season-ticket holders are reminded that Saturday is the last day for guaranteed renewal of existing seats.

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