Gally goes out on loan 'till January
PNE - take on Rovers striker at time of need!
Preston North End have agreed to take Paul Gallagher on loan 'till the new year, and he goes straight into the side for tomorrow's away tie in the Championship at Coventry City.
On the bench last night for the game with MyPa 47 - Gally didn't get chance to play, but Mark Hughes is keen that the youngster should now get games with neighbors PNE.
Hughes told rovers.co.uk "I've let Paul go out for three months, he's going to go to Preston. I just feel he needs some football, he's a very good player and I don't really want exceptional players to go out of the football club for any period of time, but I just think he needs to get some game time under his belt and we'll give him that opportunity. It is on his doorstep as well so he can fit in quite quickly, there'll be no disruption so he can hit the ground running, and hopefully when he comes back he'll be match fit and a real option for us in the new year."

Gallagher told the PNE website: "I'm really happy, I wanted to go out and play first team football, which I weren't getting quite a lot at Blackburn. Hopefully I can come here and score a few goals and help the team. I know the assistant Rob Kelly, who is a great coach, from my time in the Rovers Under 19 squad. I also know Lonners and I have scored a few past Hendo but apart from that I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the lads. Stoke wanted to take me back there and there was also interest from Hull and QPR but I chose Preston because it is a good move for my career and me personally. Deepdale is a great place to play football and it is ideal for me to stay in the area because my girl is at Primary School locally."
Good luck Gally - they need you! (31st August 2007)

rovers.co.uk (full details) ALSO pnefc (reaction at Preston)

England call for Bentley (at last)
David named in squad to face Israel and Russia
David Bentley has been named in the England squad who'll face Israel and Russia in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
David has just celebrated his 23rd birthday and joins Ashley Young (22), after coach Steve McClaren had to rule out both David Beckham and Kieron Dyer through injury. Talking on RADIO ROVERS last night, David hoped that his withdrawal from the European Under-21 championships would now be forgotten and that he might get his chance. McClaren told reporters that he thought Bentley had now paid the price, saying: "I thought it was the right decision to leave him out last time. "He accepted that and he paid the consequences but this is a new squad and he is in it and deserves to be in it."
FULL TEAM Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Aston Villa). Defenders: Micah Richards (Man City), Wes Brown (Man Utd), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Sol Campbell (Portsmouth), Phil Neville (Everton), Nicky Shorey (Reading). Midfielders: David Bentley (Blackburn), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Man Utd), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa) Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Owen Hargreaves (Man Utd). Forwards: Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Alan Smith (Newcastle), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Andrew Johnson (Everton), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham).
Both games will be played Wembley on 8 and 12 September. (31st August 2007)

bbc.co.uk (full details) ALSO rovers.co.uk (reaction)

Bentley & Roberts take Rovers into the first round proper
Blackburn Rovers 2 - 0 MyPa-47 [UEFA Cup Leg 2- Round 2]
It should and would have been more - but the MyPa keeper, Korhonen, played a blinder and seemed to be ready for all Rovers attempts. At the other end Brad Friedel had little to do, and the Finish visitors provided little threat on the night. For Jason Roberts, it was a frustrating first half, he could have put Rovers ahead early on missing from close range and then he was twice denied by MyPa's Janne Korhonen. But just two minutes after the break, David Bentley beat the keeper to claim Rovers first on the night and snuff out any hope MyPa had. The chances continued to come, but it was in the 91st minute that Jason Roberts tapped in the second to see Rovers home 3-0 on aggregate. Mark Hughes gave Maceo Rigters a chance to start, and there was no McCarthy in the 18 while Santa Cruz, Khizanishvili, Gallagher, Dunn, Derbyshire and Olsson all had to settle for the bench. Only Derbs and new youngster Olsson had a chance to play for the final 15 minutes.
David Bentley will hope that his performance will help promote his chances of an England team call up with Steve McClaren due to name his England squad for the key Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia on Friday.

The Manager told RADIO ROVERS "The job was done, the goal from David, a great goal that it was, basically finished the game from MyPa's point of view and we're delighted that we're through. On first half chances we created a number of decent opportunities and maybe on another day they would have gone in. But I always felt it was only a matter before the first one went in. I felt once the first one went in there would be more to come, but as it was we had to wait until the last minute. But as I said, the tie was never in doubt and we're delighted that we are in the first round proper, we are in the hat tomorrow and we'll be looking on with interest."

Blackburn join Aberdeen, Bolton, Everton and Tottenham in Friday's draw. BBC Sport say that "the 40 teams that progress from the first round proper go into a group phase comprising eight groups of five clubs. Each team will be play two home and two away ties, with the top three teams progressing through to the round of 32, at which point they are joined by eight sides finishing third in their Champions League group."
Teams in the draw include Bayern Munich, Palermo, Fiorentina, Bordeaux, Villarreal and Galatasaray.
Saturday sees Premier League teams in the draw for this years League Cup - Sunday Rovers play Man City at Ewood. (31st August 2007)
rovers.co.uk (report) ALSO bbc.co.uk (reaction) PLUS uefa0708 AND t&t0708

Who will go??
As the deadline approaches - rumours mount
The DAILY MAIL claim that West Ham are "mulling over a fresh £8million offer for Blackburn's Benni McCarthy"... Meanwhile EASTSLEEPFOOTBALL claim "Blackburn duo Benni McCarthy and Tugay are being linked with moves to West Ham before the transfer window closes on Friday."
Tonight ALL3POINTS say that Liverpool are set to make a late bid for Morten Gamst Pedersen - It had been reported that Spurs were more likely suitors. The site say: "Liverpool are ready to make a late move to trump Spurs £10 million bid for Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen according to reports over the weekend."
We'll know by the end of the week if any of the stories hold water - what is known is that Blackburn want to hold on to all the top players - and that Brad Friedel says they're the BEST he's ever played with! TRIBALFOOTBALL quote Rovers keeper as saying:- "I think for one of the first times since I've been at the club, man-for-man we were every bit as good as Arsenal, if not better than them, walking out in the tunnel. When we finished in sixth position a few years ago, we had a very, very good squad, with Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Damien Duff and Matt Jansen. But I think this squad is probably even stronger, and that's why for the first time since we've lined up against Arsenal, I think we matched them."
WATCH THIS SPACE (28th August 2007)

Santa delivers again!
Everton 1 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
Rovers dominated the first half and should have scored more! They stunned the Everton faithful taking the lead through Blackburn's top scorer Roque Santa Cruz (3 in 4) after just 15 minutes. From then on it was Rovers all the way, and they could have been three up by the interval. David Moyes made changes either side of the break, and got his reward when James McFadden scored with 12 minutes left in the match. With 90 minutes up, David Bentley hit the cross bar and subs Derbyshire and Roberts could (and perhaps should) have found the net.
Mark Hughes told reporters "We certainly felt the way we played in the first half, when we were excellent, that that performance merited a win. We had a number of chances and scored one. If we'd got a second it would have been hard for Everton to come back. We knew David Moyes would get a reaction and they asked questions in the second half."
On a positive note - Blackburn remain unbeaten this term in all competitions and are 8th in the Premier League.
Next up it's UEFA action on Thursday against MyPa 47, and then Man City are at Ewood next Sunday. (25th August 2007)
rovers.co.uk (report) ALSO bbc.co.uk (reaction) PLUS goals0708 AND t&t0708

Santa Scores Second - 2 in 2 from Roque
MyPa-47 0 -1 Blackburn Rovers [UEFA Cup Leg 1 - Round 2]
It only took five minutes for birthday boy Roque Santa Cruz to find the back of MyPa's net - and that he did in style. Rovers new signing started up front with Jason Roberts in Finland, and Mark Hughes was rewarded again by the Paraguayan. But despite such a bright start from Rovers - that's really the only highlight of the game. They continued to create chances - but never tested the Finish keeper. Mark Hughes can't help but be pleased to keep a clean sheet and get the away goal, but probably disappointed that Rover's failed to add to their early tally.
On the goal and its scorer, he told reporters "It was an excellent finish so early in the game. He showed his quality and getting a full game will help him. We're encouraged by Roque, so early in his career here and he can only get better. To be honest I'm surprised by how quickly he seems to have adapted. You have to complement him on the way he trains and plays."
Blackburn fly back tonight to prepare fro Sundays first home game of the new season against Arsenal. Kick off is at 15:00 - and RADIO ROVERS has all the build up & reaction to the season so far from 11:00 BST. (16th August 2007)
rovers.co.uk (report) ALSO bbc.co.uk (reaction) PLUS uefa0708 AND t&t0708

Two Inspired Substitutions
Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Blackburn Rovers
Rovers opened their new season with very mixed emotions - what could be a serious injury to Benni McCarthy and two inspired substitutions - each leading to a goal within moments. Blackburn seemed to second best in the first half and conceded after 30 minutes when Stewart Downing scored from a set piece. The second half didn't seem to see too much improvement - but then almost on the hour mark, Benni McCarthy left the game in pain with what looked like an ankle injury. His replacement was debutante Roque Santz Cruz - who had his name on the scoresheet three minutes later. A David Bentley cross - headed home by the new boy. 1-1 and Rovers seemed to find some form. With 77 minutes on the clock Mark Hughes made his second substitution, this time Jason Roberts replaced by Matt Derbyshire. Within a minute he too had found the back of the net from 18 yards out. Rovers had come from behind and despite having to hang on for 6 minutes of injury time, at last won a first game of the season! Middlebrough have now last half a dozen on the bounce to Blackburn - and the visitors can chalk up three point. (11th August 2007)
There seems to be better news on Benni - with Mark Hughes telling BBC sport that he believed the striker will be fine. "We got word when we were in the dressing room that Benni is OK. There was a concern when he went off - after the initial impact he was able just to walk off and then he passed out. There was genuine concern at seeing a player being taken off on a stretcher with his neck in a brace."
FURTHER UPDATE: Benni won't travel with the team to Finland & might not be fit for the first home game on Sunday v Arsenal. Mark Hughes says he'll wait for his medical staff to give Benni the all clear. (15th August 2007)
goal0708 (all the goals all season) ALSO t&t0708 (all the stats) PLUS bbc.co.uk (report) ALSO rovers.co.uk (reaction)