IAN Pearce has added significantly to Blackburn Rovers' worries, just when it seemed that things were on the mend at Ewood Park.

Rovers' England under-21 defender missed last night's game at St James's Park and has had an ankle injury put in plaster to immobilise it.

It was another stunning blow for Ewood boss Ray Harford who also lost winger Stuart Ripley before the game against Newcastle with a calf muscle injury.

The manager admitted he did not know just how bad Pearce's problem was, but, clearly, it does not look too good.

"He's had the plaster put on primarily as a precaution," said Harford.

"We'll just have to wait and see if it settles down with an enforced rest."

Pearce, who was susbstituted just after the hour mark at Everton on Sunday, is likely to be laid up for about 10 days before being checked by the specialist.

Rovers don't yet know the extent of the problem but the manager said it's not ligament damage, it's more wear and tear on the ankle. Possibly, it could be a piece of flaking bone that is causing the trouble - a common complaint.

The bad news comes just when Harford had managed to get Graeme Le Saux back in full action after his six-week absence with a hairline fracture.

And Le Saux, who can now team up with England for next week's international, had a fine game as Rovers gave a much-improved performance on Tyneside, despite going down to leaders Newcastle.

Now Harford faces an anxious week's wait to see if his internationals come back intact from their various trips.

He was certainly pleased by last night's performance, if not the result. "That was the best we have played away from home this season," he said.

"I would like to hope that's the way we are going to play most of the time.

"We didn't have that many chances but that's the way it is away from home and I thought we had the better chances in the first half.

"I was much happier with the performance than on Sunday, that's for sure."

"There was a big improvement and it was like we played away for most of last season.

"I was pleased we did it against a very good team.

"Newcastle have quality and are exciting to watch but I thought we handled ourselves quite well.

"I felt the back four played well in general. It wasn't just Colin (Hendry) against Les Ferdinand. Henning Berg has probably had his best game."

Harford was concerned, however, that several players looked tired towards the end - a culmination of the number of games Rovers have already played this season.

"I've just said that to the players but they don't agree with me. Maybe it's just my view.

"But eight of them are now going away with their countries, so they won't get a break."

Rovers' next Premiership game is on Saturday week against Nottingham Forest, followed by - three more away matches!

It doesn't get any easier for them.

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