BLACKBURN Rovers boss Roy Hodgson today dedicated his Carling manager of the month to his new club.

The Ewood boss is due to receive the award before Sunday's game at home to Leeds after his club's sensational start to the season.

Rovers took 13 points from a possible 15 in August - the club's best start in the Premiership.

But Hodgson was keen to play down any personal glory.

He said: "I always see these things as club awards and not an individual honour.

"I recognise that the manager is at the forefront.

"But it is just nice to get a good start and excite the country as we have done."

A spokesman for the Carling panel, which includes England coach, Glenn Hoddle, said: "Roy has already generated a renewed air of expectancy at Ewood Park.

"His immediate impact on Blackburn has been illustrated by a series of outstanding results in the first few weeks of the season.

"Roy's experience at national and club level on the continent is obviously paying dividends."

Hodgson wins a trophy, a cheque for £750 and a magnum of champagne. Arsenal's Dutch star Denis Bergkamp was named Carling player of the month. Meanwhile, Colin Hendry is fit to face Leeds following his head injury.

The central defender was knocked unconscious playing against Crystal Palace 10 days ago and was forced to miss Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Belarus at the weekend.

After a specialist's report, Hendry has been given the all-clear to play again.

Hodgson said: "I don't think it was ever in any doubt that Colin Hendry would be fit for this game.

"If we had had a game on the Monday following the incident at Crystal Palace he would have wanted to play."

There was also better news on the injury Stuart Ripley sustained in his brief appearance for England at Wembley on Wednesday.

The winger pulled a hamstring muscle and faces a lengthy lay-off.

But Hodgson added: "It is not quite as serious as was first envisaged.

"But it is impossible to put a time on these things until the injury has settled down."

Stephane Henchoz and Martin Dahlin reported back unscathed from their respective mid-week World Cup qualifiers.

On the transfer scene, Crystal Palace and Rovers have reached a deadlock over the transfer of Ian Pearce. Palace and West Ham, amongst other clubs, are keen on the England under-21 international.

But Palace's initial bid of around £1.5million was rejected by Rovers.

They are believed to be asking for nearer £3 million.

Selhurst Park chairman Ron Noades, however, stressed that Pearce's move was still alive.

"The fee Blackburn asked for him we considered to be in excess of his value," said the Palace chief.

"At the moment I think the price they are asking for Pearce is too high."

Whether we will get a deal depends on how desperate they are to sell.

"At the moment we have a figure that we are prepared to pay for Ian and we aren't moving from that, even though they have come down substantially."

Rovers chairman Rob Coar said: "We do not do our business in public."

Preston North End fans face being locked out of Wednesday's second round, first leg Coca-Cola Cup tie at Ewood.

North End have been allowed just over 5,000 seats - less than half the estimated demand. Nearly all the Preston tickets are expected to be swallowed up by season ticket holders before the Deepdale club have chance to put tickets on open sale this weekend.

"I know there will be a lot of fans disappointed they can't go to Ewood," said managing director Derek Shaw.

"We think we could have taken between 10,000 and 12,000 if the tickets had been available, so it's very sad.

"For the return leg we have given Blackburn both paddocks (2,665) and a small number of seats in the Tom Finney Stand.

"I'm sure they, too will feel they could have brought a lot more than that, but we are down to 15,000 while the kop is shut and we can't get any more in."

Tickets go on sale next Thursday (September 18) to season ticket holders only for the second round, second leg at Deepdale on Tuesday, September 30.

It will be one season ticket book, one ticket only. Adults £9, junior/oap £5.50.

Former Rovers apprentice Gareth Ainsworth has become Port Vale's record signing, in a £500,000 four-year deal with Lincoln City.

And that means a windfall of £112,500 for PNE who negotiated a sell-on clause in Ainsworth's move from Deepdale to Lincoln for £50,000.

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