CHRIS Sutton stunned Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson yesterday afternoon when he pulled out of this afternoon's game at Everton, writes PETER WHITE.

And the player today admitted :"It's a nightmare."

And Hodgson's strikeforce crisis deepened when Kevin Davies had to go into hospital yesterday for tests on a mystery throat problem which has left him feeling very ill.

The manager and staff all believed that Sutton, who has had a niggling ankle problem for some time, would be ready as usual to face Everton - especially after completing training on Thursday.

Rovers rescheduled yesterday's training for teatime, just before they left for an overnight stay, and it became apparent that Sutton had suffered such a reaction he would not be able to make it.

It left them with just one recognised striker - Kevin Gallacher still being out - for the Everton game and Hodgson was preparing to experiment.

Damien Duff, youngsters James Thomas and David Dunn and a five-man midfield were the sort of options he was considering.

It really is something of a crisis, considering the UEFA Cup tie in Lyon is coming up on Tuesday and that has made Sutton feel even worse.

He said today: "It's a nightmare, especially with the situation we are in at the moment and the problems with the other strikers.

"I feel really bad about it but the way things are I wouldn't be any use to the team.

"The ankle has been sore for a while and I have had to miss training sessions.

"I trained on Thursday but wasn't really comfortable. It's my left ankle and it's very sore, especially when I shoot or jump.

"It's difficult to pinpoint the problem but I feel awful about missing games." Hodgson, however, had sympathy for the striker who has battled through pain and a series of injections.

The manager said: "I had two shocks today, first Kevin then Chris.

"Chris has had the injury for a long time, he's been playing with injections. But, unfortunately, until we really solve the problem we can't rely on his full service.

"You can't expect to keep playing week after week through pain or to take injections to deaden the pain all the time because they have less and less effect.

"It even got to the stage against Chelsea that he was having two, one before the game one at half time.

"He trained on Thursday without an injection but his ankle has reacted very badly to it.

"These things happen and the squad have to be strong enough to counteract any shortfall in personnel.

"The timing could not be worse but you have to accept these things and adopt a positive attitude."

The question of surgery has not arisen yet, because the problem has not been diagnosed.

As for Davies, he could be facing a lengthy absence, according to the manager.

It was thought originally that he had tonsilitis but had to be admitted to hospital yesterday for tests to get to the bottom of the problem.

"Kevin Davies is very ill, he's not well at all," said Hodgson.

"It's a throat infection but what it actually is we don't know.

"That's why he is in hospital - to find out.

"There's no question of him being involved in anything we do for a considerable period of time."

Davies' mother Hilary added: "Kevin is on a drip in bed and they are hoping to see some improvement in the next 48 hours.

"It's a bit worrying but I am sure he will be all right.

"There are a lot of throat infections going round at the moment."

French CRS officers, involved in the policing of the World Cup finals, will be on duty in large numbers when Blackburn Rovers visit Olympique Lyonnais on Tuesday night.

Apart from the official trips, many Rovers fans are expected to travel independently to Lyon and the home club and police have been told of their general excellent record of behaviour.

Fans arriving by coach on Tuesday are being advised by local police to make their way to the Place Belle Cour in Lyon. That is the old part of the city with places of interest and many restaurants and bars.

Arrangements will be made for the coaches and the area will be heavily policed to ensure fans have adequate protection.

Rovers fans have been given seats in two adjacent areas of the stadium in the Virage Sud Superieur section and are reminded that they will not be allowed to take alcohol, weapons or fireworks into the ground.

Anyone travelling independently is advised to provide the club with a copy of their itinerary.

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