ROY HODGSON will have his fingers crossed this weekend hoping his star players return from international duty unscathed as Rovers prepare for the most crucial period of the season. Rovers take on championship rivals Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in the space of four games - with a derby clash against arch-rivals Bolton Wanderers thrown in for added spice. The Premiership sits it out this weekend as the World Cup warm-up campaign begins in earnest. Chris Sutton is on England duty against Cameroon at Wembley tomorrow (Saturday) while Kevin Gallacher and Billy McKinlay were both in Scotland's squad for Wednesday's tough trip to World Cup hosts France.

So Hodgson will be hoping his star trio return fighting fit for the four-match thriller which could go a long way towards deciding the title. He has already been boosted by the news that long-term injury casualty Chris Coleman completed 90 minutes for Wales in the 3-0 defeat in Brazil on Tuesday.

With a third of the season over, Rovers have emerged as genuine title contenders and it could not be any tighter at the top of the table. Just three points separate Manchester United and fourth-placed Chelsea with Rovers and Arsenal sandwiched in between.

With tough trips to Old Trafford and Highbury coming up, Rovers superb away record - the only team in the Premiership not to have lost on their travels - could prove invaluable.

So while Hodgson has always stated that a European place was his main aim in his first season in charge, he has shown he is prepared to splash out to stay with the Premiership pace-setters - while hanging on to his best players.

That is underlined in his interest in Lazio's world-class striker Pierluigi Casiraghi whileslapping a "No sale" tag on Garry Flitcroft who is being targeted by Barnsley.

Guy Fawkes night will be long gone by the time Rovers are next in action, but the fireworks are just about to begin at Ewood.

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