BLACKBURN Rovers' Premiership game against Manchester United at Old Trafford will be beamed back "live" to Ewood Park on Saturday, February 10.

It is only the second time in nine clashes between the clubs - including the Charity Shield - that Sky TV has opted not to show the fixture.

And, with seats for visiting fans at Old Trafford strictly limited, Rovers chairman Robert Coar believes there will be thousands of supporters who want to see the game and cannot get tickets.

The big-screen show was given the go-ahead by the board this week and Mr Coar said: "The problem hasn't really arisen before, as the game is usually shown 'live' on Sky.

"Obviously there will not be anything like enough tickets to go round all our supporters who would like to see the match.

"So we decided to screen it ourselves."

The Darwen End Stand will be used for fans attending the special viewing, with a capacity of 8,000 and tickets for Ewood will go on sale as soon as the Old Trafford allocation has been snapped up.

So all fans who queue next Saturday should be able to obtain a ticket of one sort or another.

Remaining tickets for the Ewood show will also be on sale from Monday, January 29, either at the Ticket Office or by telephone on the ticket line (01254-671666). The prices of tickets are £6 adults, £3 juniors and oaps.

Meanwhile, Rovers boss Ray Harford was looking for an improvement in his team this afternoon against Sheffield Wednesday.

Reflecting on the FA Cup defeat by Ipswich, he said: "There was a bit of complacency, a lack of a spark. But I still thought we could have won the game."

The manager wasn't saying whether he would stick with his central midfield combination of David Batty and Lars Bohinen or recall Tim Sherwood.

But he did hint that there wouldn't be much change.

Swede Niklas Gudmundsson could be getting closer to a senior game though he has admitted to the manager that it has taken him time to acclimatise to English football.

"Niklas is getting used to the English game but, on his own admission, it has taken him a bit of time," said Harford.

"He's enjoying it and he is happy enough.

"I want to see him in the first team but I have to do it when it's right for the team and not so much of a risk.

"It was an ideal opportunity to take him for a long period and have a look at him. He's a good player but, as at all big clubs, he is in competition with other good players."

It's tough for players to break into the senior side at Ewood and that could lead to transfer activity before the March deadline.

Sources in Sheffield suggest that Paul Warhurst's old club Wednesday could be interested in making a bid to take him back to Hillsborough.

But Rovers have not had any official contact from the Owls so far.

And Leeds United have also been linked with a move for old favourite David Batty, but no contact has been made.

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