ROY Hodgson's keeper crisis has returned to haunt him on the eve of tomorrow's big Premiership clash against Liverpool at Ewood, with loan man Michael Watt in hospital.

The Aberdeen keeper, brought in as cover for John Filan following the pre-season injury to Tim Flowers, underwent surgery last night after breaking his jaw in two places.

His injury, a complete accident, was sustained in Wednesday's reserve game against Manchester United - though Watt bravely played on to complete the match.

It means that Rovers boss Hodgson will probably have to turn to untried youngster Anthony Williams if he decides it's a must to have a keeper on the substitutes' bench.

For Flowers does not seem quite ready to return.

The manager, however, was more concerned about Watt's misfortune.

"He was involved in an horrendous collision, with a front player and Tore Pedersen," said Hodgson.

"All three went down and it was very disappointing, because there was nothing vicious at all about any of the challenges.

"It's very sad for the player and we are now back to the situation where we are waiting for Tim to recover.

"He has made excellent progress and is well ahead of schedule but I don't think he'll be ready for this weekend and he might not be fit for the Crystal Palace match." Williams, only 19, has never played competitive football in the first team - his only brief taste of senior experience coming in last year's pre-season build-up.

But he has played regularly for the Welsh under-21 side.

Hopefully, the situation will be resolved next month when Flowers should be ready to return to duty after recovering from summer surgery.

But there are three games to negotiate over the next week and that could be too soon for the England man.

At least Filan has made a flying start to his career after joining Rovers from Coventry - to replace Shay Given - in a £700,000 deal. The Australian has been outstanding in his two games so far.

Barring any late injury problems, including the players who have been on international duty, Rovers seem unlikely to make changes to the side which has started so well they are Premiership leaders after just two games.

If Hodgson says same again they will line up: Filan, Valery, Hendry, Henchoz, Kenna, Ripley, Flitcroft, McKinlay, Wilcox, Sutton, Gallacher.

Skipper Tim Sherwood completes his three-match ban tomorrow but, of course, he is still recovering from his appendix operation. It remains to be seen whether Filan will have to face Robbie Fowler tomorrow. The Liverpool striker had been expected to play his first game of the season but picked up a knock in training yesterday and is now a doubt.

Ex-Wimbledon midfielder Oyvind Leonhardsen could also still be missing with hamstring problems.

After taking only one point from their first two games, Liverpool are expected to make changes.

They are expected to choose from: James, Wright, Babb, Harkness, Jones, Thomas, Ince, McManaman, Bjornebye, Riedle, Owen, McAteer, Berger, Kennedy, Matteo, Fowler, Warner.

All home seats have been sold for tomorrow's game and fans without tickets are advised to stay away. Liverpool had just a few hundred of their allocation left yesterday but there will not be any admission on the day without a ticket.

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