STEPHANE Henchoz sees a specialist this week with his Ewood future still in serious doubt following relegation, as he has resisted strenuous efforts by Blackburn Rovers to tie him down to a new deal.

The Swiss international could face an operation on the groin injury he has been carrying through the second half of the season.

But it is where he will be playing next season that poses the biggest question.

And, while Henchoz himself admits he does not yet know the answer, a return to the Bundesliga could be beckoning.

Rovers have spoken to the defender several times during the season in an attempt to seal a new contract but without success.

He has only one year remaining on his current deal and Rovers' relegation could well have clinched his Ewood exit.

First Division football is unlikely to be on the agenda for the international star who is believed to have a release clause allowing him to leave in the event of Rovers dropping out of the Premiership.

And reports in Swiss newspapers claim several Bundesliga clubs are eager to take him back to Germany. But Borussia Dortmund, linked in speculation with Henchoz yesterday, are not necessarily one of them.

Dortmund have recently signed German international defender Christian Worns.

Liverpool are also known to be interested, as Gerard Houllier bids to bolster a defence that has undermined any hope the Anfield club had of challenging for honours.

"I do not know what is going to happen," said Henchoz. "But first I have to see the specialist."

More speculation claims that Garry Flitcroft, who has missed most of the season after knee surgery, is on Sunderland boss Peter Reid's wanted list.

Reid has been a long-time admirer of Flitcroft but Sunderland sources were not convinced about the strength of the story. The midfielder signed a new contract last season and has stated quite openly how settled he is at Ewood.

Rovers completed their Premiership programme with a 1-1 draw at Newcastle yesterday and manager Brian Kidd stressed that it would need everyone pulling together to climb back.

"It's been a tough five months with all the trials and tribulations we have had, what with suspensions and players coming back from injuries," said the manager.

"In their defence, they have been climbing off the treatment table to play and I have had to play some of them out of position.

"But I am not at all disillusioned, it has made me even more determined and resilient."

Academy players Peter Murphy and Ben Burgess were taken with the squad to Newcastle and not just for the experience. Kidd revealed that, with injuries biting hard, he had been short of players to act as cover. "Kevin Gallacher said he would give it a go but we had to take him off just after half time and, although Christian Dailly was on the bench, he is not really fit either," he added.

John Filan has been carrying a thigh injury but he wanted to play.

"To be fair to the players we have been ravaged by injuries."

Filan's injury and subsequent substitution meant that Tim Flowers got his first 45 minutes in the Premiership since November 7!

It could yet prove to be the England man's farewell appearance.

He is expected to leave this summer, providing a suitable bid is received, and there were suggestions at St James's Park yesterday that Newcastle could be one of the clubs interested in him.

They have two talented goalkeepers in Shay Given and Steve Harper. But ex-Rover Given has lost his first-team spot and might be looking for a move this summer.

Flowers is believed to be highly rated by some of the staff at Newcastle.

He had little chance to impress yesterday with not much to do after Didi Hamann's well-struck equaliser.

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