BRIAN Kidd opened his heart on the eve of Blackburn Rovers' biggest game so far in a relegation-haunted season and gave his players their battle orders for The Valley - "Be brave!"

The Ewood boss, who has some important selection decisions to make, knows just how critical the club's position is as they face fellow-strugglers Charlton.

"You can't wrap things up and the one thing I don't do is kid my players," he said.

"Everybody knows our situation but in our profession, or in life, you have to be brave and face up to things.

"You can't manufacture people's hearts for them, they have to brave."

Kidd believes everyone is pulling together in a common cause and he stressed the importance of it.

"No individual is bigger than Blackburn Rovers and it is the future of the club which is the important thing.

"That's what everybody has to look at. Whatever it takes, whatever decisions are made, Rovers are the important thing. It's not an ego trip for anybody, or shouldn't be and it won't, not while I am here.

"It's all about Blackburn Rovers. Forget individuals, it's the fans' club. "I keep getting letters from supporters who have followed the club for 50 or 60 years. That's brilliant and that's who I feel for in this situation, the club and the community.

"But it's still in our own hands. We have given ourselves a chance in the short time we have been together.

"And if that's pressure, then it's the kind of pressure I like."

Kidd will have to test several players, including Stephane Henchoz and Lee Carsley, but is hoping to be able to field an experienced side.

He is likely to choose from: Filan, McAteer, Henchoz, Peacock, Croft, Johnson, Carsley, Wilcox, Gallacher, Ward, Duff, Davidson, Gillespie, Dunn, Davies, Broomes, Taylor, Marcolin, Flowers.

As we reported in later editions last night, Nathan Blake has joined other long-term casualties out for the rest of the season. They include Jeff Kenna and Billy McKinlay, who has joined Chris Sutton in having specialised treatment at Lilleshall. A reprieve for Richard Rufus has given Charlton a lift. The defender appealed against his sending-off and was successful, having a four-game ban wiped out by the FA to leave him free to face Rovers.

They also welcome goalkeeper Simon Royce back to their squad and he is expected to replace Andy Petterson.

Welsh international midfielder John Robinson returns after injury but seems unlikely to start as he has not played a comeback match since damaging ankle ligaments.

Clive Mendonca is almost certainly out of the reckoning with neck problems.

Manager Alan Curbishley said: "It's a game we cannot afford to lose but it's still not all about this match.

And his recent signing Graham Stuart added: "Everybody expects Blackburn to stay up when you look at their squad. But we hope to have a say in that." Charlton are expected to choose from: Royce, Mills, Rufus, Tiler, Youds, Powell, K Jones, Kinsella, Stuart, Pringle, Bright, Barnes, Hunt, Bowen, Brown, Robinson, Petterson.

Nearly 2,000 Rovers fans are expected to back their team's survival bid at The Valley tomorrow. Any remaining tickets went off sale at noon today and there will not be any seats available on the day of what is an all-ticket game.

Season-ticket holders, however, will be admitted free to the 'live' screening of the game at Ewood on production of voucher 'R' from their book.

Entry for all other fans is £5 with tickets on sale tomorrow when the ticket office will be open from 9am-3pm.

The Jack Walker Stand (unreserved seating) will be open.

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