JEFF Kenna missed his first Premiership game for more than a year this afternoon.

But he still aims to have Newcastle keeper Shay Given in his sights shortly after the final whistle goes at a packed St James's Park.

The two ex-Ewood team-mates linked up with the Republic of Ireland last night, Kenna's fingers firmly crossed that Blackburn Rovers beat the Geordies to reclaim top spot in the Premiership.

It would also help him win a war of words in Dublin.

Then, on Wednesday, he hopes to see the completion of a dream double, with a healthy first leg lead for the Republic against Belgium in their crucial World Cup play-off match.

"According to the itinerary, we are training on Saturday afternoon," said Kenna.

"I don't room with Shay but, as soon as we get the chance, we'll be looking for the scores and then it will be a case of who is handing out the stick over dinner.

"Hopefully, it will be me.

"It's frustrating to have to miss the Newcastle game.

"They are all big games but this is one of the biggest in the calendar. I just wonder, if England had been involved in the play-offs, whether there would have been a free weekend.

"But if I play in Dublin that will make up for the disappointment of missing what I hope will be a Rovers win.

"I am prepared to do that if it means going to France for the World Cup finals next summer."

The major reason Given quit Ewood at the end of his contract was that he needed regular first team football to establish himself in the Republic team. Mick McCarthy refused to pick him unless he was playing for Rovers. Now the keeper will be a key man as the Irish take on Belgium with memories of their last crucial play-off - defeat by Holland at Anfield prior to Euro 96.

"That was a cup final for us and I think it's fairer that this tie will be played over two legs. But there's still no room for error," added Kenna.

"We're quietly confident. This game is as big as they get and, while we will give the greatest respect to Belgium, you have to feel we didn't do too badly out of the draw.

"After the success we had with Jack it would have been difficult for anyone to step into his shoes and we have been going through a transitional period.

"Mick has brought in some new faces and the senior lads still there will be thinking this is their last throw of the dice.

"So it would be absolutely fantastic if we made it."

Meanwhile, it's 12 months ago today, October 25, that Ray Harford resigned. But, despite the immense contrast between then and now, manager Roy Hodgson is the last man to make anything of it - quite the contrary.

"Ray Harford has a track record here which, as yet, I am nowhere near matching," he said.

"He was the coach, with Kenny as manager, of a championship side. We haven't won anything yet.

"We've had a good start to the season but it doesn't give me any satisfaction to know that the club started badly last year and Ray felt it incumbent upon him to resign. That saddens me rather than pleases me.

"I came here to try to do the best job I could and I am very satisfied that the little bit of luck we needed has gone our way and we have got off to a good start.

"But I don't get any sort of satisfaction in making comparisons. I am just very grateful that we didn't get off to a bad start again, because I do know how difficult it is to turn it around."

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