COLIN Hendry wants to make a sensational return to Ewood Park, to help revive Blackburn Rovers' fast-fading season.

The Scottish skipper is set to be released on loan by Rangers and, while there are a host of English Premiership clubs chasing him, Hendry is ready to rejoin Rovers if they will give him the chance.

And, with promotion hopes fast disappearing at Ewood, the return of their former hero could be just the kind of catalyst needed to re-ignite Rovers' ambitions and dispel the current feelings of crisis.

The club are desperately short of 'leaders'.

On Saturday, Darren Peacock became the latest of a number of players to wear the captain's armband in what proved to be the sorry mess of a goalless draw against bottom club Swindon Town.

Unable to get a game with Rangers, Hendry, who has now recovered from a knee injury, is definitely on his way out of Ibrox.

Several Premiership bosses, including Derby's Jim Smith, Watford's Graham Taylor and even Bobby Robson at Newcastle are believed to have expressed interest.

And, at the weekend, they were joined by Southampton's new boss Glenn Hoddle.

But, after speaking to people close to the player, I have been assured that, given the opportunity, Hendry would opt for a sensational third spell at Ewood - even in preference to joining a Premiership club.

"Blackburn is still where Colin's heart is," said a very close friend. "And he would rather come here than go anywhere else.

"He follows the results every week and knows the team badly needs a lift. If he could help to provide it he would be absolutely delighted." Rangers have made it clear to the defender that his future lies elsewhere but he has been hampered by knee problems which now seem to have cleared up.

Rovers certainly need some inspiration, for their season is in grave danger of disappearing down the plughole.

With two difficult away games this week, their fate could all but be decided by the weekend.

Saturday's shambles against Swindon hardly inspired hope that a play-offs place can be claimed.

"We didn't play well, nobody can have any doubts about that," admitted Rovers boss Tony Parkes. "We did enough to score but we need too many chances to score a goal and that has been the case all through the season.

"This could have been a replica of the first game of the season against Port Vale.

"I wouldn't say the players aren't producing but they have found it very difficult to create really good chances.

"We haven't had enough for the possession we've had.

"There was apprehension right through the club.

"It was like a relegation battle from the reaction of the fans. But we'll get over it.

"It's been a disappointing result for us. But there are enough games and there's enough quality around the place to get us back there.

"We have to be optimistic although we are down at the moment."

The Academy Under 17s hammered Birmingham 5-0 at Brockhall with Liam Blakeman scoring twice. Lee Atkinson, Mark Byrne and Danny Stone got the others.

Ben Burgess and Paul Forsyth were on target as the Under 19s claimed an excellent 2-0 win away to Everton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.