CHARLTON boss Alan Curbishley has refused to dismiss the possibility of taking over as the next manager of Blackburn Rovers.

The Addicks chief has been one of the names in the frame for the Ewood job.

Yet, despite the fact that Charlton have not been formally approached, Curbishley was keeping his cards close to his chest when tackled about the situation last night.

"That's not a question I can get involved in, I don't think," said Curbishley.

"Blackburn have drawn a hit-list up and I know that I've not been approached and the club has not been approached.

"So I don't see where the speculation has come from at the moment.

"But I think, since Tony has taken over, Blackburn have been on a steady little climb.

"They've not been beaten, they've picked up some useful results and, if you read between the lines, they are taking their time on who they want to appoint." Norwich boss Bruce Rioch is also high on Rovers' hit list, however.

But Rovers chief executive John Williams today would not comment on a planned meeting with Rioch this week.

And the Canaries have not had any contact with the Ewood Park board about the possibility of a approach. Chairman Bob Cooper today insisted he has not even discussed the speculation with Rioch.

"The proper procedure here is that, if Blackburn want to speak to Bruce, then they will have to speak to me first and they haven't done so far. "But I've not even spoken to Bruce about the gossip because there's nothing to talk about."

Meanwhile, caretaker boss Tony Parkes bought the board more breathing space last night after masterminding a brilliant victory over Charlton at The Valley. Rovers gained revenge after a controversial refereeing decision cost the club two points in the corresponding fixtures last season.

The sides ended up drawing 0-0 after Ashley Ward was denied a blatant penalty. But last night it was Rovers who profited from a moment of controversey as Ward's 10th-minute opener was allowed to stand despite strong hints of offside.

Parkes believed his side earned their lucky break, however, as they stretced their unbeaten run to five games.

"It was a hard, battling performance and I can't praise the players highly enough," said Parkes.

"I saw it as a goal. The linesman didn't flag and I think he's in a better position than probably most of the people in the ground who thought it was offside.

"But you get them and you don't get them.

"We came here last year, drew 0-0 and had the most obvious penalty decision turned down when the goalkeeper poleaxed Ward.

"So this might have been a little bit of a return on that decision.

"That's what you have to hope happens.

"But you make your own luck.

"The way we performed, we deserved everything we got.

"And I thought the officials did their job. They gave every decision honestly." Parkes also singled out Ward and goalkeeper Alan Kelly for special praise.

Ward's brace were his first goals since the end of September while Kelly performed some late heroics to prevent Charlton from snatching a late equaliser.

"I thought Ashley Ward was outstanding," said Parkes. "He got the goals and he deserved it. He's had a really lean spell and I was pleased for him.

"And Alan Kelly, certainly towards the end, produced two or three outstanding saves, which also helped us to win the game.

"We were put under a lot of pressure from a team who could have gone top. But every one dug in.

"There was a togetherness last night and hopefully this can be the start of Blackburn climbing up the league."

Meanwhile, Rovers reserves could come face-to-face with Robbie Fowler and Titi Camara tonight when they play Liverpool at St Helens Rugby League ground. Fowler is hoping to take another step on the comeback trail and has his eye on a first team recall against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.

The Rovers squad: Squad: Bingham, McNamee, Richardson, McKinlay, Murphy, Brown, Johnson, Dunn, Thomas, Jansen, Gill, Scates, O'Brien, Hamilton, Fitzpatrick, Corbett.

Rovers under-19s fixture with Bolton has been brought forward 24 hours. The match, which is due to be played at Accrington Stanley's Crown Ground, kicks-off at 11am on Friday December 3.

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