A SHORTAGE of players at Premiership rivals Coventry has seen Rovers' Academy under-19 team given a walkover into the second round of the knockout stages.

The under-19s were due to entertain Coventry at Brockhall this afternoon but the game was called off at the visitors' request and, with the agreement of the Premier League, they pulled out of the tournament.

Apparently, international calls and injuries have left the Highfield Road under-19 squad depleted and, although they originally planned to travel with a very young side, Coventry felt that would not be fair either on their own players or opponents.

Coventry are also still involved in the FA Youth Cup, their under-18 team having reached the semi-finals.

Rovers' under-17 team were hoping to make the second round of the Academy competition this afternoon, taking on Peterborough at Brockhall (kick-off 1pm).

PRICES rise for the next Ewood Premiership game against Liverpool on Saturday, May 24 (kick-off 3pm), as it is one of the category A fixtures.

But concessionary prices remain unchanged at £10.

Adult tickets are available in all areas with prices ranging from £22-28.

Liverpool have been given the Jack Walker half and all the top tier of the Darwen End Stand.

BRIAN Kidd was on a spying mission at Villa Park this afternoon, doubtless hoping for a home win.

Aston Villa faced Rovers' relegation rivals Southampton, with Kidd due to take his own side to the Dell next Saturday.

ROVERS Return winner at the Middlesbrough game was Mr Landless (Blackburn), number 141415. The autographed ball went to M Wilby (Blackburn), number 147548.

UNLESS they pull off a win and a draw in their last two North-West derby games of the season, Rovers will finish bottom of the NW Carling Challenge table.

By taking four points, however, from the matches against Manchester United and Liverpool, they could climb above Everton in the four-club table.

And that wouldn't do their hopes of Premiership survival any harm either!

Manchester United are top of the NW Carling Challenge table at the moment and hot favourites to claim the £10,000 prize to give to charity. They have a maximum 12 points from their four games.

Liverpool are second with seven from four, Everton have finished their derby games and have five from six, while Rovers have just one point - a draw at Everton - from their four matches played so far.

LATEST Double Your Money Club £500 winner is J Wainwright (Oswaldtwistle), number 409A.

ROVERS will have a full complement of fans behind them when they travel to the Dell next Saturday (3pm) for the crucial relegation clash with Southampton.

Only just over 100 tickets were left out of the club's allocation last night.

Remaining seats are available from the Ewood ticket office, price £18 upper tier, £16 lower tier.

THE next Pontin's League fixture is against Everton at Goodison Park next Wednesday (kick-off 7pm).

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