MIDDLESBROUGH today declared an interest in Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton, if he becomes available this summer.

Relegation could cost Rovers their prize asset and another major Ewood star Stephane Henchoz might well be on the move to Liverpool.

Tim Flowers is also expected to leave this summer, providing someone comes up with a decent offer for the England keeper, who has already had one transfer request rejected.

But it is Sutton's position that is the most intriguing.

Tottenham, Arsenal and Aston Villa are thought to be keeping an eye on him and Middlesbrough jumped to the front of the queue this afternoon.

In the absence of manager Bryan Robson and his assistant Viv Anderson, first-team coach Gordon McQueen said: "People know these days that we are always in the market for quality players.

"We haven't inquired about Sutton but we will certainly monitor the situation. We are definitely interested in players of his calibre."

But there is still one more game, at Newcastle, to play on Sunday and interested clubs are likely to hold back until after that before making any moves. Sutton publicly stated he would stay at Ewood, even if Rovers were relegated, but the fans understandably remain concerned that he will be on his way out to one of the Premiership's big guns in a deal worth anything up to £10 million. Now back in favour with England, the striker's chances of establishing himself at international level could be seriously affected by playing in Division One.

And it could be that Rovers might feel manager Brian Kidd needs to concentrate on his squad rebuilding by bringing in his own men. Though not starting entirely from scratch. Sutton has a clause in his contract allowing him to go, but at a very high price.

"If Chris has anything on his mind, I am sure he will sit down and talk about it to the manager," said chief executive John Williams today.

Henchoz, meanwhile, is a different case.

Rovers would have been forced to look at his situation very closely this summer, whatever the outcome of the relegation battle. The Swiss defender has only a year remaining on his contract. The club's normal policy would be either to persuade him to sign a new deal, or to sell before Bosman rules allow him to leave next year for nothing.

Liverpool are known to be interested and have watched Henchoz closely in the last few weeks. They are thought to be preparing a bid. The chief executive, however, said: "We have not received any official approaches.

"Besides, we still have one more game to go before we complete our season." Meanwhile, Williams is "confident" CIS will complete their four-year sponsorship of the club, despite speculation that the Manchester-based company are to pull out because of relegation.

A meeting between club and company is imminent but, even if they complete the final year's sponsorship, losing Premiership status will still cost Rovers a substantial amount of money.

CIS signed a four-year deal with Rovers in May, 1996, believed to be worth around £1 million per year.

The value of the agreement, as with most of these deals, can fluctuate depending on the success or failure of the club.

If they win trophies, they pick up more sponsorship cash. If they go down so do the payments and it is understood the final year of the deal - now to be spent in Division One - would see a drastically reduced sum.

CIS put out a bland statement in response to the speculation.

It said: "Like everybody associated with the club we are naturally disappointed at relegation to the First Division.

"Until we have had the opportunity to sit down and discuss matters with the club it is premature to speculate as to the future of our sponsorship."

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