COLIN Todd is refusing to write off Keith Branagan's chances of making Saturday's Roses battle with Leeds United.

Fears that the Wanderers' keeper faced a long lay-off were eased by a visit to a specialist yesterday.

The sight of the Republic of Ireland international limping out of Monday's defeat at Derby with an injury to his left knee caused a scare in the light of his two previous cruciate ligament problems.

It also sparked speculation that Finland international Jussi Jaaskelainen could be promoted ahead of Gavin Ward.

But Todd was not talking about replacements after getting the good news on Branagan.

"We've been told it's not a serious problem," the Wanderers boss confirmed. "There appears to be no internal damage but we'll have to wait and see whether Keith is fit for weekend or not.

"It's something we will monitor day by day. But it's too early to be talking about who will play if he isn't fit."

Jaaskelainen is, nevertheless, in the frame after showing considerable progress since joining Wanderers from Finnish club VPS in a £350,000 transfer last November.

The 23-year-old, who won his first international cap in a 2-1 win in Malta last month, is expected to keep his place in the squad for next week's friendly against Scotland in Edinburgh. Confidence is the key and, if Branagan doesn't make it, Todd must decide whether Ward will have had his dented after conceding three goals in 10 minutes at Pride Park as Wanderers turned in a nightmare performance on their way to a 4-0 defeat.

As Todd began the job of restoring morale yesterday, there was more good news on the injury front with Mark Fish, Neil Cox, Bob Taylor and Hasney Aljofree all responding well to knocks they picked up at Derby. Wanderers midfielder Per Frandsen was named today in the Denmark squad for next week's friendly against Norway in Copenhagen. Fish will also be away with South Africa who are holding a three-day get-together in Zurich.

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