ROY Hodgson will have to start virtually from scratch in his attempts to find a replacement for Colin Hendry, who has stressed there is no going back on his decision to quit Ewood.

For the Rovers boss admitted that he had not been considering having to sign another central defender.

But, already, the club are likely to be linked with a number of leading Premiership players.

Chelsea, for example, are expected to start trying to trim their enormous wage bill and have defenders to spare.

There has been speculation that Frank Leboeuf could be on his way from Stamford Bridge in a £5 million deal, with Liverpool also linked to him.

But Chelsea chief executive Colin Hutchinson said today: "We can discount Blackburn straightaway because I've talked to them this morning.

"They've not been offered the player and they're not interested in him." Michael Duberry is another name who might prompt interest.

Looking through the Premiership there are not many available central defenders who could step into Hendry's shoes but Leicester's Matt Elliott might fit the bill.

Whoever Rovers move for, however, they are likely to have to pay above the odds and Rangers have said they are not willing to go much higher than the £2.5 million bid they have had rejected at Ewood.

Rovers have put a price tag of £5.15 million on Hendry and discussions between the clubs are believed to be ongoing. The player himself, however, is confident a deal will be struck within days.

"I am convinced it is going to be resolved," said Hendry. "And they will agree a fee. I know it's a bitter pill for people to swallow but I am definitely leaving.

"I am going to play for Rangers and the sooner the two clubs get it done and dusted the better for everybody so that they can get on with their lives."

Rovers thought everything had been settled last week when the player signed a year's extension to his present contract.

But that did not prove to be the case.

"There was no financial benefit to me but I signed because if I hadn't done and gone on to try and move, I might always have wondered if I would have been happy," he said.

"So I did sign but within a day I knew I had made a mistake.

"I had made a mistake and I am honest enough to admit it."

If and when a deal is done between the clubs, Rovers, as we reported last night, will also have to give serious consideration as to whether to issue a formal complaint about Rangers, who seem to have driven a bulldozer through the regulations governing approaching players under contract. Hodgson himself pointed out that the Ewood club were finding out what was going on from the player and described the situation as "clandestine".

But, even though Rovers would seem to have a clear case for complaint, it usually happens that these things die a death when the clubs come to an agreement over the fee.

Should it develop into a stalemate, however, those thoughts might change at the Ewood end.

It is something they will consider when this saga is finally sorted out.

Hendry, meanwhile, revealed that he will train on his own, not wanting to upset Rovers' preparations even more than they have already been damaged.

"I will train on my own, with the permission of the manager, for the next two or three days while the clubs get together," he said. "He also expects it to be done, for obvious reasons, in the next day or two. That is important to him."

Despite Hendry's confidence, there is always the possibility of a deadlock unless one of the two clubs gives way on their valuation.

If the deal drags on, it would not serve any purpose for the Rovers boss.

Rangers, ideally, would like to sign Hendry by Saturday, the deadline day for the next round of the European competitions.

Rovers have until August 20 to sign a player and for him to be eligible for the first round of the UEFA Cup.

But the start of the Premiership on August 15 is even more important.

Rangers take on Shelbourne at Ibrox tonight in their UEFA Cup qualifying round return match.

They have a 5-3 lead and should go through comfortably.

Lorenzo Amoruso will skipper Rangers but he is only keeping the captain's armband warm for Hendry.

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