BLACKBURN Rovers have targetted Barnsley boss Dave Bassett as their number one choice as the new manager.

But that would mean Bassett would have to walk away from his job at Oakwell.

Bassett, who has just signed a three-year contract, said today that he had had no contact with anyone from Ewood but was aware of the speculation, although he was happy at Oakwell.

And Barnsley chairman John Dennis had made it clear that he wanted Bassett to stay.

But, after Saturday's win over Birmingham, Bassett answered questions on the Ewood link with the cryptic comment that he "would cross that bridge when he comes to it".

And he added today: "There's no doubt Blackburn is a big club and they are very well resourced and they could offer me an infinitely better salary."

Rovers stress that the recent results have provided breathing space in their search for a successor to Brian Kidd.

But I understand that the club are keen for an early indication as to whether Bassett is willing to make the move.

And they would have to tread carefully or risk being charged with making an illegal approach.

If Bassett is not interested, former Bolton boss Colin Todd is waiting in the wings.

Chief executive John Williams again refused to comment directly on the situation but said: "There is a longer short list than two names but those two names would meet the criteria we are looking for, albeit in different ways. "There is a lot of water still to flow under the bridge and we have to strike a balance between urgency and complacency." It is not out of the question that Rovers would again try to persuade caretaker Tony Parkes to take the reins, should Bassett decide to stay at Barnsley. Williams added: "We are buoyed by the fact that the team are getting good results, which gives us a bit more breathing space." Colin Hendry was at Ewood on Saturday fuelling speculation that he may be back in the frame for the vacant manager's post.

But the Scottish international insists he was only at the game as a supporter and he has not had any contact with the club about a possible return to Rovers, either in a managerial role or as a player/coach.

"I think to be fair to Blackburn they are going to choose their manager and he will then decide who he wants to choose to become his coach or assistant or whatever," said Hendry.

"I don't think that me being there on Saturday will have any bearing or confuse the situation.

"I was just there as a supporter and to see some friends.

"Obviously people are going to put two and two together and try and make whatever number they want.

"But there's been no contact at all and in all fairness to any club that's going to talk to Rangers they would have to go to David Murray first because David Murray would then come to me and he would instruct me on what to do."

Hendry has now returned to Rangers after his move to Derby fell through last week because contract negotiations broke down.

But though he still wants to fight for his place at Ibrox, he would be prepared to listen to other offers if they came in. "I'm still not in the picture at Rangers so the chance to go to the Premiership was something I was very grateful for and I was going to take that opportunity.

"But I wasn't going to be silly in taking that chance as well.

"I've got to look after my family in the last two or three years I've got as a player and if anything crops up between now and then, then I think Rangers would listen to that and of course I would listen to that."

Meanwhile, Parkes was a happy man after watching Rovers record their first victory in 10 attempts against Fulham on Saturday.

Goals from Egil Ostenstad and Damien Duff swept aside Paul Bracewell's men and Rovers caretaker boss now has his sights set firmly on a play-off place after taking four points from his two games in charge.

"We've played well in two games now and we could have had six points although, obviously, we are pleased to have got four," said Parkes.

"There were a lot of good performances, everyone worked tremendously hard and I thought we deserved it.

"So we are happy that we've won but we realise that it's only one game and we need to put a few together."

Parkes was disappointed, however, with Rovers' third round FA Cup draw which threw up an away tie with West Bromwich Albion. "I never think it's a good draw when you have to play a team from the same division," said Parkes. "And it's not such a good draw in terms of excitement for the fans either. But it does give us a chance to go through because they are in a similar position to ourselves."

Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie could be out until next year after damaging a groin in training.

Gillespie may need surgery and faces a layoff of at least three or four weeks.

Rovers' under-19 academy side lost for the first time this season when they went down 2-1 to Everton, Gary Hamilton getting the Blackburn goal. The under-17s drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday thanks to a Neil Danns goal.

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