MANAGER of the month Roy Hodgson has plenty to celebrate as Blackburn Rovers prepare for their first Premiership clash of 1998 at Derby County's Pride Park on Sunday.

For Hodgson's team have equalled a record established by the 1994-95 championship side.

For only the second time in more than 100 years of League football, Rovers have gone into the New Year boasting just two defeats.

Kenny Dalglish's title team did it with a record of 15 wins and four draws out of 21 matches. Now Hodgson's title hopefuls have equalled that with 11 wins and eight draws from a similar number of games.

But it is not just the latest Carling managerial award for December, or the team statistics, which have prompted Hodgson's greatest delight.

That comes from the way Rovers have been playing.

"I think we could get a lot of records, the team have done exceptionally well," said Hodgson who, as we predicted earlier this week, was today awarded his second manager of the month prize of the season.

"But the quality of football played by the team has pleased me more than anything.

"And, while we have conceded four goals in the last two games, we haven't had much luck, because we haven't really given many chances away.

"Normally, teams would have to create a lot of goal chances to score that many against us."

The Rovers boss collects a Carling manager of the month trophy for his efforts, plus a cheque for £750 and a magnum of champagne. And he was the overwhelming choice, receiving 13 out of 17 votes from members of the Carling No 1 Awards Panel.

In a statement, the panel said: "To remain the only unbeaten team during a busy festive period is testimony to Roy's achievement at Blackburn.

"His tactical leadership, best demonstrated by his team's victory at Highbury, is exemplary and Roy has helped Blackburn consolidate their position as genuine title contenders." As he prepares for Sunday's televised game against UEFA Cup hopefuls Derby, Hodgson has several players facing fitness tests.

But he is optimistic about their chances.

Strikers Chris Sutton and Kevin Gallacher have been suffering from thigh and back injuries respectively, while Gary Croft also has a back problem which forced him to miss last Saturday's game against Wigan.

Lars Bohinen picked up a rib injury in that game but there is nothing broken and the Norwegian's chances of featuring will depend on the level of pain from the bruising. There have been suggestions that several Norwegian clubs, including Lillestrom, might be interested in trying to take the unsettled Bohinen on loan when their season starts up again.

But that would not find favour with Hodgson who said: "What would I gain if I were to lose a very good player from such a small squad?

"I am sure there will be a lot of things said and written about Lars Bohinen and his agent will be trying to activate interest in him."

Meanwhile, claims by Rochdale that a big-money Ewood deal for 16-year-old keeper Stephen Bywater is imminent seem to be premature.

Rovers have been interested in the young keeper for some time, and still are. But they will not pay an exorbitant fee for him.

Rochdale are believed to be desperate to rake in some cash and are trying to hurry along a major transfer.

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