KEVIN Gallacher's invite to join Ewood team-mates Colin Hendry and Billy McKinlay at the Euro 96 party could soon be in the post.

Scotland boss Craig Brown has handed the Blackburn Rovers comeback star a second vital step towards a place in the European Championship finals this summer.

Brown last night named Gallacher (pictured) in a 23-strong squad to face Australia in a Hampden friendly next week.

And then gave him and the rest of the party a massive vote of confidence, saying: "You are in pole position for Euro 96."

Hendry and McKinlay have long been thought of as "certainties" to claim a ticket to the tournament being staged in England in June.

But time was of the essence for Gallacher to show he had fully recovered from the sickening injury blows which have wrecked his last couple of years in the Premiership.

He was called up for a recent get-together with more than 30 others, which was the first sign that Brown had not forgotten him.

And now that has been whittled down to 23, for the first friendly since Scotland ensured their passport to the finals.

The importance of his latest selection should not be underestimated as Brown said: "These players have a very good chance of going to Euro 96 if they keep their fitness and form."

Gallacher's last cap for Scotland was more than two years ago, before his injury nightmare began.

Since February 1994, he has started only 11 Premiership matches for Rovers but that figure includes the last nine in a row as he has underlined his return to the top level.

It is looking increasingly likely that his comeback will be rewarded with a place in the European Championships, with Rovers providing a trio of tartan challengers.

Tickets for Rovers' next three matches are currently on sale at Ewood, but there are restrictions on the home matches against Everton (March 30) and Newcastle (April 8) fixtures.

Holders of stubs from either Liverpool or Bolton home matches can purchase a maximum of four Everton tickets per stub.

Similarly, holders of stubs from either Everton or Liverpool home games can buy up to four Newcastle tickets per stub.

Season-ticket holders can also buy a similar number of extra seats for either game on production of their book.

The Newcastle fixture on Easter Monday (8pm kick-off) is an all-ticket game and there will not be any seats available on the day.

Rovers' away game at Southampton on Easter Saturday, April 6, has also been made all-ticket, with no on-day sales.

Tickets are now available price £17, with some "restricted views" at £15. Southampton are not offering any concessions.

Latest £500 Double Your Money winner is J Mercer, Cornwall, number 893A.

Rovers Reserves visit Notts County tomorrow night. The Pontin's League First Division fixture was originally scheduled for this evening but police requested it be put back 24 hours because County's neighbours Forest are staging their UEFA Cup tie with Bayern Munich.

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