GRAEME Le Saux and Stuart Ripley are back in training with Blackburn Rovers and should be ready to boost Tony Parkes' options for Monday's relegation-zone scrap with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

But it's too early to tell whether Rovers' caretaker-boss will be able to count on George Donis (groin injury) and Graham Fenton (hamstring) for the squad.

The one thing that does seem sure is that Parkes will still be in charge of the team for Monday's Sky TV clash.

Rovers do not seem to be any nearer to making a managerial appointment, though the name of Sampdoria's coach Sven Goran Ericsson continues to crop up, following our story on Wednesday that he should not be discounted.

No doubt there will be more speculation this weekend but there are few signs of an imminent appointment.

Parkes and Derek Fazackerley will ensure that the players are well prepared for the trip to the City Ground and talk of the next manager will be kept in the background.

As individual games approach, the club are anxious to concentrate everything on picking up points, with as few distractions as possible. A return for England left back Le Saux seems the only likely change at this stage of the build-up to the Forest match, with Parkes expected to revert to the team which brought Rovers their first victory of the season over Liverpool.

The man in charge, however, stressed today that he wanted as many players fit and available as possible.

With five substitutes these days, it is more of a squad game than ever before in the Premiership.

"We want everyone fit but George's injury is proving more serious than we first thought, and Graham Fenton hasn't started training again yet," said Parkes, who is also without long-term absentees Ian Pearce, Chris Coleman and Paul Warhurst.

"It's one of those games that we really don't want to lose.

"Every game is vital when you are in the position that we find ourselves. But, with the losers of this one knowing they will be bottom of the table, it puts a bit extra on it. Our aim is to get to fourth from bottom, out of the relegation places as quickly as possible, and then, when we have done that, look a little bit higher. "Psychologically, it would also be good to win on Monday."

Parkes travelled across the Pennines to watch Forest play at Hillsborough this week, when they gave a poor performance in going down to Sheffield Wednesday.

"I am sure they will play better than that at home," added Parkes.

Tickets for Monday's game will be on sale at Ewood until 12-30pm tomorrow. Fans travelling without tickets will be able to buy them at the City Ground on Monday, up to the 8pm kick-off.

Rovers A team are without a game tomorrow, the B team are at home to Crewe.

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