MORE speculation about Colin Hendry's Ewood future was the sort of build-up Blackburn Rovers could have done without as they prepared to face Wolves tonight in the first of their three pre-season friendlies back home in England.

A national newspaper claimed Hendry has gone "to war" with Rovers to try to force them into giving him a move to Rangers.

The player has remained steadfastly silent on the speculation over Rangers' continuing interest, which has been confirmed both in Glasgow and at Ewood.

But I understand from good sources that, following talks between Hendry and chief executive John Williams last week, both parties felt the issue was settled.

Significantly, there are no comments from either Hendry or Rovers in the latest story but it can only be disturbing for the fans as they worry if there is to be another dramatic eve-of-season departure from Ewood.

Even before this latest story, Rovers boss Roy Hodgson was keen to stress he knew nothing of any deal and that he certainly didn't want one.

"As far as I know the club has not received any concrete bid whatsoever from Glasgow Rangers - not that I know of," he said.

"Of course we wouldn't welcome one. The players we have got are the players we hope are going to help us have another good season.

"It's no good us helping to resolve somebody else's problem and giving ourselves the headache which they currently have.

"And I would like to think that Colin Hendry as well is committed to Blackburn Rovers and is not interested in moving at this late stage of his career." Meanwhile, Rovers face Wolves at Molineux tonight in the Robbie Dennison testimonial game (7.45pm kick-off).

Hodgson is likely to mix up his team again, and he has more players available to him than on the tour of Sweden.

Hendry, presumably, is available again, so too is Tim Flowers and Sebastien Perez.

He has to decide whether to leave Perez, now recovered from his ankle injury, until Friday's trip to Ipswich.

"There are a lot of players I want to look at, so I don't quite know how I will approach the game as yet," said the manager.

"But there's no doubt Perez will play this week.

"He could play against Wolves because he is physically fit but I might prefer to give him an extra day's training and choose to play him on Friday."

Rovers are expected to make ample use of substitutes again tonight and the only players certain not to be involved are the injury victims.

Wolves are likely to include ex-Rover Mark Atkins in midfield and will probably give Dennison, now with non-League Hednesford, the first 20 minutes or so.

Rovers fans can pay at the turnstiles tonight, £10 adults, £5 concessions.

A young Rovers reserve side had a crushing 11-0 win at Clitheroe on Saturday, with trialist Simon Colosimo playing part of the game before being substituted after picking up a slight knock.

Paddy Connolly got a hat-trick, Ryan Baldacchino and Lee Fitzpatrick scored two apiece and Jon Topley, Garth Scates, Graham Coughlan and Ian Richards one.

An Ewood under-14 side finished fourth in the Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland, after missing out twice in penalty shoot-outs.

They drew 1-1 with eventual winners Crewe in the semi-finals, losing 4-2 on penalties, then drew 1-1 with Everton in the third/fourth place play-off game and lost 5-4 in the shoot-out.

Consolation for Rovers was that schoolboy Ciaran Donnelly was named under-14 player of the tournament.

An under-19 team played four games in the international festival at Keele. It is a non-competitive event but Rovers beat Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry and FC Cologne, losing only to Crystal Palace.

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