ROY Hodgson takes his third-placed Blackburn Rovers side to Highbury on Saturday, laughing off talk that the Premiership title race is already decided - in favour of Manchester United.

And the Rovers boss, facing another tough challenge from fourth-placed Arsenal, reckons that Old Trafford supremo Alex Ferguson would be the last man to believe all the hype.

United's scintillating form - they have cruised to victory over challengers Rovers and Liverpool inside the past fortnight - has made them almost unbackable to retain their championship.

The media pundits already rate it a one-horse race but Hodgson said: "I don't think anyone seriously believes that, least of all Alex Ferguson.

"He won't be thinking that all he has to do is sit back and get the cigars out because the season has been sorted out.

"There's a long way to go and a lot of matches to be played.

"United are in a great position and feeling confident. But we are happy to be within four points and trying to stay as close as possible.

"The season has a long way to go and we have the comfort of knowing we have yet to play them at home as we try to extract revenge for our defeat at Old Trafford."

Meanwhile, Chris Sutton and Kevin Gallacher must beat a man described as "irreplaceable" if they are to have a chance of firing Blackburn Rovers closer to the Premiership summit at Highbury on Saturday.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rates goalkeeper David Seaman as one of the top five in the world.

And he will send him out against Rovers' free-scoring strikers, believing he is at his peak.

"You cannot win anything without a good keeper," said Wenger. "It is just as important to have a good goalkeeper who will save you 10 goals a season as it is to have a good centre forward who will score them."

"That's why it is so comforting for me to see the team run out with David in the line-up. Just being there he re-assures the defenders in front of him - and me."

Now 34, Seaman is at the height of his powers and Wenger added: "Between 33 and 36 is the best age for a keeper. This is the time when you have all the experience you need and still have your physical strength. "His big strengths are his intelligence and his analysis of the game, as well as his great technique."

Seaman's outstanding performances and sheer consistency are among the reasons why Rovers keeper Tim Flowers has not got more international caps to his credit. And Flowers is currently scrapping with the likes of Nigel Martyn and Ian Walker for a place as back-up to the Arsenal man in next summer's World Cup squad.

England goalkeeping specialist Ray Clemence was at Ewood last Saturday to check on Flowers and the Rovers star could well come under scrutiny again at Highbury when comparisons between Glenn Hoddle's first choice and one of his challengers will no doubt be on the agenda.

Family Night Football is launched by Rovers tonight when they have issued thousands of free tickets for the Pontin's League game against Manchester United at Ewood (kick-off 7pm).

It is an experiment on the lines of the reserve team nights run by Leicester City and featuring pre-match entertainment, with face painting, jugglers, a DJ and free competitions to win good prizes.

Business development manager Alan McColgan is hoping to get a big crowd and he said: "We anticipate that the entertainment will be a feature at future home reserve games which we want people to come to know as 'Family Football Nights'.

"We want to get the idea across that Ewood is a safe environment for people to come and enjoy football. Hopefully, they will then go on to watch the first team."

Some 18,000 vouchers, admitting up to four people each free, have been distributed via local retail outlets. So what if everyone was to turn up?

"It doesn't work like that, you only get a certain percentage," he added. "Personally, I think we could get 8,000 people. But it should give us an idea as to how many we could see at future reserve games."

Rovers are currently second in the Pontin's League Premier Division, a point behind leaders Leeds - who play Tranmere tonight - and four points ahead of third-placed United.

The squad is: Fettis, Worrell, Valery, Andersson, Coughlan, Broomes, Johnson, Bohinen, Beattie, Thomas, Gill, Staton, Fitzpatrick, Brown.

Tickets for the FA Cup third round tie against Wigan on January 3 are now on sale, category B prices £16-20 (concessions £10). League season-ticket holders have up to and including December 20 to claim their own seats.

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