Tugay to play for Rovers

Turkish international Tugay will be available for Blackburn’s Barclaycard Premiership clash with Everton at Ewood Park on Monday after the club agreed his release with the Turkish FA.

Rovers manager Graeme Souness had expected to be without Tugay for the Everton game after the midfielder was called up to join a Turkey training camp this weekend ahead of the Euro 2004 play-off game with Latvia.

But further talks between the Turkish FA and Rovers officials has resulted in Tugay being able to face Everton before joining his international colleagues the following day.

Rovers have also received permission from the Scottish Football Association to play Barry Ferguson ahead of Scotland’s play-off with Holland.

Rovers will be without the suspended Andy Cole and David Thompson. Craig Short is back in the squad for the first time this season after a knee operation.

Finnish goalkeeper Peter Enckelman will be on the bench after moving from Aston Villa on a month’s loan. A crop of injuries has allowed the club to seek special dispensation from the Premier League to take him on loan for a month.

Team (from): Friedel, Enckelman, Neill, Johansson, Short, Todd, Taylor, Reid, Gresko, Ferguson, Flitcroft, Gallagher, Yorke, Jansen, Emerton, Baggio, Babbel, McEveley, Grabbi, Tugay.