Peter White reports

THE transfer trail still looks lukewarm for Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson, despite another rash of speculation linking him notably with Monaco forwards Thierry Henry and Viktor Ikpeba.

A French connection for the Ewood boss is understandable as I can confirm he travelled to Belgium last week and saw Monaco beat Lierse 1-0 in their Champions' League clash.

Ikpeba, a 24-year-old Nigerian, scored the winner and reports claim he is one of two potential targets for Hodgson - 20-year-old wonder kid Henry being the other.

A striker and a left back are the obvious priorities as Hodgson attempts to bring his squad up to strength, and Everton, beaten at Ewood on Saturday, are also said to be looking to sell and buy which has put Andy Hinchcliffe's name in the frame again.

But there does not appear to be any transfer action imminent.

The fortnight's break for the internationals means there is time for that to change and, with three of the club's next four games against their main rivals, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, a crucial phase of the season is imminent.

Now would be an ideal time to strengthen with things going so well.

Rovers have also been keeping in touch with the Swedish scene, and especially young players.

They looked at two last week and are also set to have central defender Mikael Roth and midfielder Mats Timmerman training with them.

Their club Halmia have just won promotion to the First Division and the two part-time players are both aged 21.

It doesn't mean Rovers are about to sign them but it enables Hodgson, via his Swedish contacts, to keep an eye on the standard of players in that part of Europe. Meanwhile, the manager was delighted with Rovers' performance against Everton.

"We played Sheffield Wednesday and won by seven, we played Preston and won by six, beat Aston Villa by four away but we haven't played as well as that," he said.

"It wasn't a cavalier game in any way. They were anxious to get people behind the ball. In fact, at half time, Howard made a good substitution because we were getting so much play through the centre of midfield.

"They were trying to block us and yet we still got through and got crosses in and strikes at goal."

The manager felt Rovers had coped well without Colin Hendry and also had great praise for Everton keeper Neville Southall.

"Duncan Ferguson made one and scored one but Everton didn't have many chances as such.

"But I thought Henchoz and Pedersen controlled the situation pretty well and certainly had to do a lot of work with the ball because we had it for so much of the game.

"It was constant Blackburn attacking against well-organised Everton defending as is often the case when you play at home against a good team.

"I thought Southall did fantastically well. Anyone who plays 800 matches is worthy of any other professional's admiration and he showed that, approaching 40 years of age, he has lost none of his talent.

"He did everything right. Furthermore, he had to play through an injury and showed a lot of courage."

Goals from Andy McAvoy, David Dunn and Ciaran Ryan gave Rovers A a 3-0 win over Marine, but the B team went down 2-1 away to Rochdale A, Ryan Baldacchino getting the consolation.

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