appeal to fans COLIN Hendry appealed to Blackburn Rovers supporters today - Do what you did for us two years ago against Newcastle.

Rovers need just one point from tonight's game against Middlesbrough - the team who refused to turn up in December - to assure Premiership status next season.

And Hendry, among others, believes this is just as important a match as the penultimate game of the 1994-95 season when Rovers beat Newcastle in the clash that virtually clinched the title.

"This is a massive period for us," said the big Scot.

"We had huge help from our fans against Newcastle. This is a similar type of match with so much at stake and we need it from them again tonight.

"I'll probably know nearly every one of them at Ewood personally and I don't want any of us sitting around thinking about ifs and buts afterwards."

Hendry's thoughts were echoed by his partner in defence Henning Berg, who said: "With the crowd behind us and creating the sort of atmosphere they did in the last home game against Sheffield Wednesday it gives everyone confidence."

Tony Parkes knows Rovers need only a draw but he acknowledged: "You can't just go out for a draw at home. We have to treat it like a normal home game and try to win.

"Then if we only finish up with a point, that will still be enough. It's going to be very tense but several teams would swap places with us, as we have two home games left."

Parkes may be forced into another change up front with Chris Sutton and Per Pedersen struggling with hamstring injuries.

He also has to decide which system to use.

The starting line-up is set to come from: Flowers, Kenna, Berg, Hendry, Pearce, Le Saux, Sherwood, McKinlay, Flitcroft, Gallacher, Sutton, Pedersen, Warhurst, Fenton, Ripley, Wilcox, Donis, Given.

Fans collecting or aiming to buy tickets tonight MUST arrive early. A late rush means there are an extraordinary number of collections, and remaining seats will be on sale until kick-off (7-45pm).

There's still a chance to vote in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Blackburn Rovers Player of the Year poll. Simply dial 0990 446644 and then select the number for one of the following six players: 9051 Henning BERG; 9052 Colin HENDRY; 9053 Kevin GALLACHER; 9054 Tim SHERWOOD; 9055 Billy McKINLAY; 9056 Chris SUTTON.

Roy Hodgson's Inter Milan side were beaten in last night's UEFA Cup final first leg in Germany when Schalke's Marc Wilmots scored the only goal after 70 minutes.

It was a dour clash but Inter, without Paul Ince and others, hope to have a stronger side available for the San Siro return on May 21.

Young Irish star Paul Forsyth, who will join Rovers this summer, faces a fitness test to see if he can make next Tuesday's England v Republic of Ireland under-15 schoolboy international at Ewood.

Tickets for the Jack Walker Stand are currently on sale at Ewood, price £4 (£2 concessions). Fans who buy tickets on the night can only use the Blackburn End.

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