ROY Hodgson believes England's World Cup hopes will still be in safe hands should David Seaman be forced out of contention, writes PETE OLIVER.

Seaman continues as the undoubted number one choice in goal when England look to close in on the last 16 of the World Cup against Group G rivals Romania on Monday night.

But, if the Arsenal giant picks up a knock or suffers at the hands of red card crazy refs, then Blackburn Rovers keeper Tim Flowers and Leeds United's Nigel Martyn are standing by.

And Flowers' Ewood Park boss Hodgson believes his man is in the right frame of mind to take any promotion from the role of understudy in his stride.

"He is obviously coming into form at the right time and I hope he can keep it up," said Hodgson who was delighted to see Flowers get the nod ahead of Tottenham's Ian Walker. Flowers faced an anxious wait to know if he had made it into Glenn Hoddle's final 22 after an injury-dogged season.

But he proved his case in the build-up game against Morocco in Casablanca with Martyn booking his ticket with an impressive showing against Belgium in the same competition.

Hodgson, in France to take in some of the games from Monday, has certainly been impressed with Flowers and watched approvingly as his keeper managed another clean sheet for his country.

"Tim has done ever so well," said Hodgson.

"He played very well against Morocco. People say he didn't have a lot to do and that's true. But goalkeepers always have a lot to do because they are always working even when shots don't come in or crosses don't actually arrive.

"They are still positioning themselves and getting themselves ready. I thought he looked very confident.

"His handling was good - his catch on the last header showed very good hands, there was no panic."

While Flowers has so far had to settle for a supporting role, team-mates Colin Hendry and Kevin Gallacher have taken centre stage. in taking Scotland to within one win of a likely place in the second stage. And Rovers midfielder Billy McKinlay is also poised to play a major part in the Group A decider against Morocco on Tuesday by replacing the suspended Darren Jackson - injury permitting.

McKinlay fell awkwardly in training and was reported to have "severe lower abdominal pains."

However, if there's one disappointment that mars the impact of the Rovers four in France it is that one more in particular is not there - despite the start that England have made.

Hodgson didn't mention any names but was clearly referring to striker Chris Sutton when he said: "We've done very well.

"It was a marvellous season and all credit to the players.

"It's very good to have four involved and we're very happy about that. I'm just unhappy it wasn't five."

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