KEVIN Gallacher revealed today that he had stood up to be counted - and possibly saved Eyal Berkovic from being sensationally sent off in Blackburn Rovers' FA Cup replay against West Ham, writes PETER WHITE.

The Rovers striker, who seems to have failed in a last-ditch personal plea to clear his name and wipe out a three-match ban, is understandably bitter about the way his own red-card case has been handled. Still vehemently protesting his innocence, after being accused of using an elbow on Berkovic in the first cup clash, Gallacher was involved in a first-half tussle with the Israeli on Wednesday night.

Fans saw the Scot put his hands to his throat and face for a couple of seconds as though he had been struck and Gallacher explained: "Berkovic put his arm up and caught me in the throat.

"If I had gone down, as he did in the first game, would he have been sent off? Did the fact that I stood up make the difference?

"The referee saw him and warned him to keep his arms down and I told the ref he had sent me off for less than that.

"It seems there are rules for some and rules for others."

Rovers had appealed, unsuccessfully, for the Football Association to ask referee Peter Jones to review the red card decision he made at Upton Park.

They turned it down, so Gallacher made his own personal written plea.

He explained: "I felt I had to continue to try and clear my name so I wrote to the FA committee expressing my disappointment at the way things had been handled.

"I didn't elbow Berkovic. I have studied the video at great length and the referee's view was partially obscured. He should have been allowed to see the video.

"Berkovic was the original perpetrator of the incident and he has got away while I have been punished for something I haven't done. "But they haven't replied to me and, as I start my suspension tomorrow, it looks as though it has been thrown out of the window."

Gallacher has not lacked support for his cause, especially as TV evidence showed he did not use an elbow on the West Ham player.

And manager Roy Hodgson has been forthright in the Scot's defence.

Rovers, however, will have to find a replacement for the next three games starting with tomorrow's visit of Leicester when they also have a few injury concerns to clear up.

Tim Flowers (shoulder injury) missed the midweek match, while Billy McKinlay damaged a thigh muscle early on.

Hodgson said: "Time is against us. We are hoping both will recover but it is in doubt and is in the lap of the gods.

"Billy McKinlay has a slight strain and we don't know whether it will respond to treatment in time. Tim Flowers didn't respond in time for the West Ham game."

Stephane Henchoz has also been troubled by a muscle problem, affecting groin and thigh, and two hours of demanding cup football must have taken a lot out of Chris Sutton, who had only just recovered from a virus.

Alan Fettis and Garry Flitcroft are obvious choices if Flowers and McKinlay are out. The question mark is up front.

Martin Dahlin looks the likeliest choice and will be hoping for his chance alongside Sutton, but James Beattie will be in contention. A possible switch for Damien Duff cannot be ruled out either, especially with Jason Wilcox available for the left flank.

Patrick Valery completes a two-match ban tomorrow.

The starting line-up looks like coming from: Flowers, Fettis, Kenna, Henchoz, Hendry, Croft, Ripley, Sherwood, McKinlay, Flitcroft, Duff, Sutton, Dahlin, Wilcox, Beattie, Broomes.

Kasey Keller is expected to return in goal for Leicester, after international commitments. Otherwise they could well be unchanged and are enjoying a good run.

They are unbeaten in seven Premiership games, having beaten Chelsea and Manchester United in that run.

Leicester's squad: Keller, Savage, Guppy, Prior, Elliott, Kaamark, Izzet, Lennon, Zagorakis, Cottee, Heskey, Walsh, Fenton, Campbell, Wilson, Parker, Arpexhad.

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