ROY Hodgson today left the door open for Graeme Le Saux to settle his differences and stay with Blackburn Rovers, writes PETER WHITE.
But the manager also made it clear that he only wants players committed to play for him and Blackburn Rovers.
And that is the clearest indication yet that Le Saux will soon be heading for the Ewood Park exit, providing, of course, that someone is willing to pay the multi-million pound price tag that he will command.
For there have been no signs of the England full back changing his mind about a situation which looks like it is coming to a head - and, in the all-round interests of the club, Rovers might well have to take the tough decision to sell.
Many supporters admire Le Saux's skills as a player and would like to see him fully committed at Ewood but they have become increasingly disillusioned with his attitude.
I understand the club could well be close to making the crunch decision on whether to agree to his demands and put Le Saux up for sale, or to hold him to his contract.
They won't comment on speculation but chairman Robert Coar said: "Whatever happens, any decisions we make will be purely and simply based on what is best for Blackburn Rovers Football Club."
So, will the player still be here at the start of the season on Saturday week?
"He is under contract as a Blackburn player. It will depend on whether the club agree to sell him or not," said Hodgson, who expects to have Le Saux in his squad for Wednesday's game at Aberdeen.
"Whether a player is available for transfer depends on 101 things as we have seen with Ferdinand.
"We don't need to sell and we don't particularly want to sell.
"But, at the same time, I have got to say I don't want players who are not happy to play for me and the club.
"So any combinations, given those three facts, are possible."
Hodgson left the player behind when Rovers went to West Brom on Saturday.
"He had played 90 minutes in Hvidovre and I knew he wasn't going to play on Saturday. So rather than take him to sit on the bench I decided it was better he trained for a full session at Brockhall with other players like Martin Dahlin," he said.
"I didn't really want to use him, I was looking to use Patrick Valery and Jeff Kenna because they needed 90 minutes football."
Speculation about Le Saux continues to run amok with Arsenal the club continually linked with him.
But, so far, he has not been given permission to speak to anyone.
The present situation cannot really be allowed to rumble on, I don't believe it will and the outcome seems inevitable.
Meanwhile, Hodgson was pleased by the performance at West Brom, though still concerned at Rovers' failure to take the many chances they are creating.
And he was also left with a string of injury problems to check.
The tribunal to decide John Filan's transfer fee from Coventry, due to be held on Wednesday, has been postponed as the keeper will be in Aberdeen with Rovers.
Shay Given's tribunal to consider his move to Newcastle, however, goes ahead in Sheffield on the same day.
Tickets for Rovers' first two Premiership games, against Derby at home on Saturday week and Aston Villa away (August 13), went on open sale today.
Derby is a category B game with prices £16, £19 and £20 and concessions £10. Tickets for Villa are £14 (no concessions with some restricted views at £12.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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