SCOTT Sellars could be poised for a dramatic comeback for Newcastle United, against his old club Blackburn Rovers on Tyneside tomorrow night.

And Billy McKinlay might celebrate another Scotland call-up by being handed his first senior start in a Rovers shirt.

But the latest Ewood signing Graham Fenton will not face the runaway leaders in front of a full house at St James's Park, where Sellars hopes to get the Newcastle nod if Keith Gillespie fails a fitness test on a hamstring injury.

Fenton finally completed his £1,450,000 transfer from Aston Villa last night.

But the England under-21 forward will make his first Rovers appearance for the reserves at Derby tonight.

Manager Ray Harford will be reluctant to make too many changes tomorrow and has also hinted that Fenton has been signed with an eye on the future.

But he must consider giving McKinlay a first start at Newcastle, despite his lack of recent match practice. And Graeme Le Saux will also come into the equation.

McKinlay, impressive in his appearance as a substitute at West Ham, can play either central midfield or wide, and Harford might well wish to introduce some new blood after Sunday's shocker at Goodison Park. Meanwhile, Sellars, who featured in more than 200 League games for Rovers before making them a handsome profit in the transfer market, is definitely on stand-by for a recall to the Magpies' starting line-up.

He has had to take a back seat so far this season, confined to the substitutes' bench most of the time, with only the occasional start.

But an injury to Gillespie could open the door for him.

Newcastle were due to check Gillespie today and if he is out, Kevin Keegan could solve his problem by switching David Ginola to the right and playing Sellars on the left.

The only other option would be to play Steve Watson wide on the right.

Frank Talia has had talks with Swindon about a proposed £125,000 move to the Second Division leaders but the player and club are still a long way from agreement.

Swindon boss Steve McMahon said: "We are a million miles away, we are not even close.

"The fee is not a problem, it's the personal terms and unless we can come closer together then the deal will be off.

"We are not asking Frank to take a drop in wages but he has to be realistic. We suffered long enough because of the Premiership legacy and we will not be caught out again."

Some of the pressure is off McMahon to sign a keeper, as Fraser Digby has now agreed a new deal.

But, for Talia, who is well down the pecking order at Ewood, the move could represent a lifeline.

Both McKinlay and Colin Hendry have, as expected, been named in Scotland's 22-strong squad for the European Championship qualifier with San Marino at Hampden tomorrow week.

Bolton's John McGinlay is also named.

Rovers Reserves are away to Derby County tonight.

Tickets for the next home Premiership game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, November 18, went on open sale at Ewood yesterday.

Latest £500 Double Your Money winner is T Metcalfe, Oswaldtwistle, number 602A.

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