Flitcroft wary of old mate Dickov

The near-neighbours lock horns tomorrow at Oakwell, with the Reds – seeking to extend their unbeaten run to four matches – able to leapfrog Rovers in the Championship table with victory.

It’s been a tough week for 19th-placed Rovers and their manager Paul Dickov, whose side have lost their last three matches and go into tomorrow’s game without defensive lynchpin Rob Jones.

But with a pugnacious character in charge in Dickov, a good friend of Flitcroft’s, the Reds chief is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “In adversity, you can either crawl under a rock or pick it and up and start fighting and that could happen Saturday. That’s the Championship and it’s what we’ve got to guard again.

“I think they are going to miss Jones who has been a stalwart for them and leads the backline. He’s a big miss for Dicky because he’s a leader on the pitch and there’s not many of those around now.

“But sometimes from that, other players sometimes pick the baton up. They have got good experienced players and a leader (Dickov) who was one of the most enthusiastic and infections players I have witnessed.”

Flitcroft has revealed that Jacob Mellis and Danny Rose will be out for between two to four weeks respectively with ankle injuries.

And the Reds chief has been handed a further injury blow, with Luke Steele to see a specialist today after suffering another setback in his recovery from a back problem. But he has received better news regarding Peter Ramage, ahead of schedule in his comeback from a thigh problem.

Flitcroft has agreed to extend Jim McNulty’s loan spell at Tranmere until January 3. He has also received interest from clubs wishing to take Chris Dagnall on a temporary basis.