Report by Peter White TONY Parkes is tackling the most serious job of his 26-year Ewood career - with a smile on his face.

While Blackburn Rovers' search for a new manager looks certain to go into a second month, caretaker-boss Parkes is determined to help give the team lift-off in the League table.

Rovers go to Nottingham Forest on Monday night for a clash between the Premiership's bottom two. But he showed no signs of pressure, as he prepared the players for a crucial game.

In fact, it was quite the opposite as Parkes has slipped into the manager's chair so easily, if temporarily, he can afford a few jokes always knowing that business comes first.

He also acknowledges the backing he has had from players, staff and fans.

"I think people feel for me and the position I am in a little bit," he said.

"The Liverpool game put everyone on a high and I think people are going along with me and saying that at least I am managing to do the job.

"We've had a few messages wishing us well and telling us to keep it going. "I think it's a bit early for 'hate mail'. Besides, the first hate mail I get, I'll resign anyway. I'm not having any of that," he laughed. Has being manager for a month changed things for him in any way?

"Yes, I can't go into Asda now without someone asking for my autograph," he grinned. "Before, they always wanted to ask about Kenny or Ray. Now it's me.

"I seem to have become a bit more popular, but that's okay. I have always got time to talk to people and have a chat." Joking apart, Parkes has added his own brand of positive thinking to the situation and he didn't envisage any particular timescales when he took charge on October 25.

"I had no idea, to be fair, of what might happen as regards the manager's job," he said. "And whatever does happen will happen.

"That's not down to me. I'll let the owner and the board sort that one out.

"We are just trying to sort the football out.

"And I can only look positively at every aspect of winning football matches.

"We aren't going to waken up one morning and find we are halfway up the League, it's going to take time and a collection of things."

Meanwhile, Parkes will give a fitness test to striker Graham Fenton (hamstring injury) before the squad leave for Nottingham. He has a better chance than winger George Donis of being fit, the caretaker-boss admitting that a groin strain collected on international duty made the Greek a "very doubtful" contender for a place in the squad.

If Fenton makes it, he will have a chance of being on the substitutes' bench, with Rovers unlikely to make much change to the starting line-up, other than to recall Graeme Le Saux.

Ticket sales for Monday's game (kick-off 8pm) ended at 12-30pm today at Ewood. But fans still hoping to travel will be able to obtain seats at the City Ground up to kick-off time.

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