CHRIS Sutton is set to play against Everton at Goodison tomorrow, despite scare stories in the national tabloids that the Blackburn Rovers striker could be sidelined by an ankle injury, writes PETER WHITE.

The fact is that Sutton has been carrying a niggling foot injury for some weeks but it has not affected his availability nor his performances and he was training as normal yesterday.

It needs to be rested between games at times but the player has had scans in the past and it is not believed there is any serious problem.

And he was set to train with the squad this afternoon.

Sutton is not due - as was claimed - to go for x-rays today.

Rovers are hopeful that with the fortnight's break coming up for the international fixtures that could help clear it up.

With concern over other Rovers strikers, it seems to have been exaggerated and Sutton is confidently expected to take his usual place in attack tomorrow.

And Martin Dahlin looks likely to partner him.

Kevin Davies, ruled out of the Chelsea game by tonsilitis, is giving cause for concern, while Kevin Gallacher (calf strain) is still touch and go.

Rovers boss Roy Hodgson will give Gallacher a late fitness test but may well decide it is a couple of days too early to risk him.

"He is looking a lot better but Kevin Davies seems to be a little more serious," said the manager. "He will probably have to have blood tests."

The good news for Hodgson is that Damien Duff should be able to return to the squad after recovering from a thigh strain.

So there are selection decisions to be made and he must also decide whether to change a defence which has conceded 10 goals in the last four games. Rovers' starting line-up is likely to come from: Flowers, Dailly, Henchoz, Peacock, Davidson, Perez, Sherwood, Flitcroft, Wilcox, Sutton, Dahlin, Duff, McKinlay, Kenna, Gallacher, Filan.

Everton will have midfielder Olivier Dacourt missing through suspension but that is likely to be the only outfield change from the side which fought back to draw 2-2 with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium last Saturday. Danny Cadamarteri is a likely replacement for Dacourt and new keeper Steve Simonsen will also join the squad.

They are set to choose from: Myhre, Simonsen, Cleland, Watson, Materazzi, Unsworth, Cadamerteri, Hutchison, Collins, Ball, Barmby, Ferguson, Farrelly, Milligan, Jevons, Oster.

Tickets will be available at Goodison Park tomorrow and Everton have agreed to give concessions in the lower tier. Prices: Upper tier £19; lower tier adults £17, juniors/oaps £11.

BBC TV will screen Rovers' UEFA Cup tie in Lyon on Tuesday 'live' from 8pm.

They have opted to follow Rovers rather than switch to Aston Villa or Leeds who both won their first-leg matches.

Kick-off time is 8.05pm (9.05pm in France).

The Boxing Day fixture with Aston Villa at Ewood has also been selected by Sky TV as their 'live' Bank Holiday match and kick-off time will be 6pm.

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