TIM Sherwood is facing the prospect of a two-match suspension after being cautioned in his last two matches.

And that's another stunning blow for Blackburn Rovers boss Ray Harford, whose depleted playing resources have already been further hit by the loss of Jason Wilcox for tomorrow's Premiership game against Manchester City at Maine Road.

Ewood skipper Sherwood collected his ninth booking of the season at Villa Park on Wednesday and, although Rovers are still waiting for details from the FA, it is expected to take him past the 33 disciplinary points mark. At this stage of the season, that means an automatic two-match ban and the midfielder is set to miss the re-arranged game against Leeds at Ewood on Wednesday, March 13, and the trip to Tottenham the following Saturday.

Rovers' priority is to stop the rot at Maine Road tomorrow. Harford has a lot of problems as he tries to find a winning combination, with both his wings having been clipped by the loss of Stuart Ripley (hamstring) and now Wilcox (ankle).

Lars Bohinen (calf) is close but probably not quite close enough. But, while Nicky Marker is still suspended, Harford can call on Mike Newell, who has completed his ban.

Newell's availability will release Kevin Gallacher.

Paul Warhurst, Graham Fenton, Niklas Gudmundsson and Matty Holmes are all competing for a place.

Rovers are expected to choose from: Flowers, Berg, Hendry, Coleman, Kenna, Gallacher, Sherwood, Warhurst, McKinlay, Shearer, Newell, Fenton, Holmes, Gudmundsson, Bohinen, Mimms.

In contrast, City have extra options for a game Harford believes will be tough.

"They played well against us at Christmas and if it's anything like that it will be a hard game," he said. "It's been difficult for us with injuries. I don't think there are many teams who could have coped.

"But it's important for us to get the first goal. We've only done that twice away and we've gone on to get something from the games."

Garry Flitcroft and Michael Frontzeck are both available after suspension.

City are set to choose from: Immel, Summerbee, Curle, Symons, Frontzeck, Hiley, Flitcorft, Lomas, Clough, Kinkladze, Rosler, Quinn, Brown, Phillips, Margetson.

David Batty completed his £3.75 million move to Newcastle yesterday, waiting for Rovers' game at Villa to be played so that it would count as one game off his two-match ban. He will also sit out Monday's game between Newcastle and Manchester United. Batty, who asked for a move, said: "I'll be raring to go after the Manchester United match and I'm just relieved that everything has now been completed."

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