FORMER Liverpool legend John Toshack will not be considered as a late runner in the race to become the next manager of Blackburn Rovers.

Toshack was sacked as coach of Spanish giants Real Madrid yesterday after refusing to withdraw his criticism of players.

But, as I understand it, the Ewood board are not about to make a move for the former Welsh striker and will stick instead to their original short list of three targets.

Rovers have looked abroad in the past when they turned to Sven Goran Eriksson and then Roy Hodgson as a successor to Ray Harford.

But this time they are ignoring the Continent and concentrating their search closer to home.

Former King of the Kop Toshack had only been in charge at the Bernabeu Stadium for nine months when chairman Lorenzo Sanz decided to sack him.

Toshack had been incensed by his team's performances which had left them seven points adrift of Primera Liga leaders Rayo Vallecano.

But chairman Sanz was angered by the coach's outspoken criticism of the team in Spanish sports daily Marca.

And Toshack had also failed to justify the huge summer spending by the club, most notably the acquisition of Nicolas Anelka from Arsenal for £23million after off-loading stars such as Davor Suker and Predrag Mijatovic.

"Everybody who knows me knows that my words are always well thought out and always have a reason," said Toshack. "That's why it's more likely to see pigs flying over Bernabeu Stadium than for me to take back what I said."

Despite his problems this season, however, a host of top clubs are sure to be interested in his services although Rovers will not be among them.

Meanwhile, axed Rovers boss Brian Kidd could be lined up for a return to football with the Welsh national squad.

New Wales manager Mark Hughes is on the look out for a number two after failing to lure Eddie Niedzwiecki away from Premiership big-boys Chelsea.

And speculation has already started that Hughes could now turn to Kidd, a former colleague from their days together at Manchester United.

Kevin Ratcliffe, newly installed as Shrewsbury's manager, has also been touted for the post. But the former Everton man would find it tough to combine two such jobs.

And the fact that he was a short-listed rival to Hughes for the top job could also work against him.

Kidd, however, has already been asked to help coach England's Under 21s on an occasional basis since his departure from Ewood. And Hughes knows all about Kidd's coaching abilities from their times together at Old Trafford.

But the Southampton striker has been very much his own man in making backroom appointments so far and he could well have a surprise up his sleeve.

"I have got someone in mind. Obviously I can't confirm anything yet but hopefully that will be done in the near future," said Hughes.

In the mean time, goalkeeper Alan Kelly is still fighting a fitness battle ahead of Rovers Nationwide League clash with Fulham on Saturday. Kelly damaged his groin during the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2000 play-off first leg against Turkey last weekend.

That forced him out of last night's second leg in Bursa and, despite having treatment on it at Brockhall this week, the problem has still not fully cleared up.

"I wouldn't like to say yet whether I'll be fit for Saturday or not yet," said Kelly.

"It's not too bad at the moment and I managed to do some swimming yesterday.

"But I've still got two days to test it out so I'll just have to see how it goes."

Kelly had to settle for listening to the Republic on the radio last night and he was gutted at his side's exit on away goals after their 0-0 draw in Bursa.

"It's a major disappointment," said Kelly.

"The result itself last night was a very, very good one but we didn't do it at home.

"It's just a shame we could not get that goal which would have seen us through.

"We've had quite a few games where we've conceded injury time goals, like the game against Macedonia when they scored with 12 seconds left, and that has ended up costing us.

"So there's lessons to be learnt there and we've got to bounce back."

Elsewhere, Rovers duo Callum Davidson and Christian Dailly both gave stirring performances in Scotland's 1-0 win over England at Wembley.

And Dailly nearly forced the tie into extra time with a late header which was brilliantly saved by David Seaman.

But that wasn't enough to save the Scots.

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