CHRIS Sutton revealed today that, during two depressing seasons, he had been forced to wonder if he had a future at Ewood Park.

But, back on top of the world and in the England squad, the Blackburn Rovers striker is now happy he stayed put.

And it is the arrival at Ewood of Roy Hodgson, as much as anything else, that has signalled the change in fortunes of both Rovers and Sutton.

"After we won the title I had two indifferent seasons, although the injuries didn't help," he admitted.

"When Kenny Dalglish left and Ray Harford took over, he had a different view of the game and wanted different players.

"I had a bad spell although I never put in a transfer request.

"But if things had carried on as they were long-term that would've been on my mind.

"Now, because our confidence is high, mine is as well and now I'm getting the chance to be part of the England scene.

"Roy's a good coach and he wants to get the best out of the players. He motivates the players very well and we all respect him because he's got such a tremendous record."

What Sutton really wants is to crown his season by helping Rovers to be successful and be a part of the England squad for France. That seemed unlikely when Hoddle reacted to comments made by the player when he was omitted from the squad earlier this season.

Sutton, understandably, was frustrated that he could not force his way onto the international scene, even though some of the other leading strikers in the country were injured and he was in outstanding form. The Rovers star admits there are a lot of top strikers around. But he remains unrepentant about his comments, because of his hunger to pull on the white shirt of England.

"I wasn't outspoken," he insisted. "I don't think there's any harm in wanting to play for your country and showing that.

"Obviously I was disappointed that I hadn't had the chance - although I'm still only 24 - and I just expressed a view."

Hoddle now seems to have accepted that.

The coach explained: "I've just told Chris to relax. He doesn't need to feel he has to prove anything because he's already proved a lot to himself and his club manager this season.

"He was close to being selected for Italy and he's impressed me so far with his attitude. We'll see how he shapes up for the rest of the week."

Sutton will be giving it all he's got in a bid to claim a place against Cameroon on Saturday.

"I just want to play for England, and I'm very pleased to be here," he said. "I know I've got a long way to go before I can call myself a regular international. All I can do is try my best.

"It's been nice to hear my team-mates and manager at Blackburn backing me, but I'm realistic enough to know there are a lot of quality strikers, and that I've got to show what I can do."

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