CHRIS Sutton heads for Oakwell on Saturday with a triple target in his sights against a Barnsley team currently propping up the Premiership.

And, as the Blackburn Rovers striker bids for glory on three fronts, he can take heart from a massive vote of confidence handed out by the man who broke the British record transfer fee to sign him.

Kenny Dalglish didn't attempt to diguise his admiration of Sutton after his goal had claimed a well-deserved point against Newcastle United last weekend.

Another goal against Barnsley would see the Rovers striker equal his entire total of 11 for last season, put him ahead of Dennis Bergkamp in the chase for the golden boot and add considerable weight to his long-standing international claims.

Dalglish, like Ewood boss Roy Hodgson, refuses to hand out advice to England coach Glenn Hoddle or any of the international bosses about who should or should not be selected for the national side.

But, after watching Sutton peg back his Newcastle team, Dalglish acknowledged the number nine's claims.

"It's never been my policy to say who should be playing, the national managers have a difficult enough job to do for themselves," said the former Rovers manager. "But, certainly, Chris Sutton must have international ambitions and he's doing the right things.

"He's playing well enough."

It was Dalglish who decided to pay Norwich City £5 million - a British record until Andy Cole's £7 million move from Newcastle to Manchester United - for Sutton in the summer of 1994-95.

And he noted: "He's two or three years older now and he looks stronger for it. He certainly took his goal well."

The signing proved a gold-plated investment with the formation of the SAS - Sutton and Alan Shearer - which spearheaded the drive to the championship in their first full season together.

Sutton has now fully emerged from the shadows of goalscoring phenomenon Shearer and, in fact, his own scoring record this season is reminiscent of his former team-mate's prolific strike rate.

Ten goals in 12 Premiership games speaks for itself and, with Hoddle also watching from the St James's Park stands, surely it can't be long before the clamour to involve him in the England squad is answered and Sutton's patience rewarded.

The first of a series of friendly matches in England's preparation for the World cup finals is against Cameroon on November 15 and that would seem an ideal opportunity to give him a go. Hoddle will name his squad shortly and there are other Ewood players who will be awaiting the list of names with more than a passing interest.

Tim Flowers has now fully recovered from a double hernia operation on the eve of the season and Rovers' goals against record speaks volumes for his performances.

Stuart Ripley's recent return from injury could also be timely.

Hoddle recognised the sizzling start Ripley had made by selecting him against Moldova, when he picked up the hamstring injury that interrupted his season.

And there are other Ewood players who have figured in the past and who will be hoping to join the stampede for places in the squad for France.

They are all aware that the only real way to impress is at club level.

Rovers' Premiership game at Derby has been moved from Saturday, January 10, to Sunday, January 11, for live screening by Sky TV.

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