Gresko is to see a specialist in the US

SLOVAKIAN defender Vratislav Gresko is battling to save his career and is to visit leading knee surgeon Dr Richard Steadman at his clinic in Colorado.

Gresko picked up cruciate ligament damage in a recent international match and has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Team-mate David Thompson visited Steadman in the USA for knee surgery last year and has fought his way back into contention.

'Vratty,' now 27, is hoping the specialist will do much the same for him and get his playing career back on track.

Meanwhile, the future of Javier De Pedro looks increasingly to be away from Rovers.

The 31 year-old Spanish international winger has failed to break into the Rovers' first team since arriving in the summer on a free transfer from Real Sociedad.

Despite agreeing a two-year deal, it is becoming clear that he may well be moving on, possibly through the January transfer window.

Skipper Barry Ferguson, meanwhile, has been charged with improper conduct by the FA, following an incident in the match at Crystal Palace last weekend. Barry has until January 6 2005 to respond.