TONY Parkes prepared for tonight's crunch game against Sheffield Wednesday with a plea to Blackburn Rovers fans - shout us to safety, writes PETER WHITE

The caretaker-boss has just four games of his longer-than-expected reign remaining in the bid to ensure Rovers are still a Premiership club when Roy Hodgson takes charge in summer.

And he has some big decisions to make on selection - whether to stick or twist.

Stick with the side and system which did well at Highbury, or switch things around to a more familiar formation.

There is also the major question of whether Graeme Le Saux will receive an early recall.

Included in the England squad yesterday, with Tim Flowers, Le Saux was omitted from the 16 on duty against Arsenal and could find it difficult to get back in.

Whatever Parkes decides - and it's hard to envisage much change - he wants both team and fans fired up for a Roses clash which will have a significant bearing on both ends of the Premiership table. "Saturday's performance at Arsenal shouldn't have done our confidence any harm," he said.

"But we need the crowd with us all the way tonight and I'm sure they will be."

Parkes will be thinking of players like Jason Wilcox in particular. The winger shook off his problems from the previous home game to give a good performance at Arsenal.

And he was given en encouraging reception by the travelling fans. Now he faces a return to Ewood.

"It's another game, a different set of circumstances and Jason wants to give 100 per cent for the team cause," said Parkes.

"I hope the fans give the lad a chance.

"We just have to be positive in everything we do."

Rovers are expected to choose from: Flowers, Kenna, Berg, Hendry, Pearce, Wilcox, Sherwood, McKinlay, Flitcroft, Gallacher, Sutton, Pedersen, Donis, Warhurst, Croft, Le Saux, Given.

Wednesday could be without injured strikers Andy Booth and David Hirst again, but they beat Wimbledon comfortably enough on Saturday when the duo were missing.

They have sights set on a UEFA Cup place and have only lost five away games.

Manager David Pleat is set to choose from: Pressman, Atherton, Nolan, Pembridge, Walker, Whittingham, Carbone, Blinker, Nicol, Stefanovic, Donaldson, Trustfull, Oakes, Collins, Humphreys, Briscoe, Clarke.

Marlon Broomes has retained his place in the England under-21 squad to play Georgia at Charlton next Tuesday.

Rovers' Disabled Supporters' Club is holding its annual Player of the year event in the Premier Suite at Ewood tomorrow (7-30pm).

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