RAY Harford's successor will no doubt be the top item on the agenda when Jack Walker gets together with the Blackburn Rovers board at tomorrow's game against Liverpool.

And, after collecting the names of potential targets in this country, I expect that Rovers will also be scouring the Continent over the next few days.

The two obvious names that they are likely to consider are Johan Cruyff, out of the game since leaving Barcelona, and Inter Milan coach Roy Hodgson.

Cruyff would be welcomed by the fans but it depends on whether he wants to extend his career by coming to England at this stage.

And Hodgson has taken Inter Milan to a title-challenging position in Serie A.

But a return to England might be tempting.

Rovers, I believe, began their search in earnest in London last weekend when they are understood to have set up talks with at least one man.

That was probably Terry Venables but whether it would be practical for him or whether he would be prepared to move so far from London - and Rovers need full commitment - is debateable.

And newspaper speculation today suggests that Venables has ruled himself out.

A number of other people will also be considered and it's a fair bet that Howard Kendall is one of them.

Kendall has managed at the top level - and abroad - which counts in his favour. It looks as though Howard Wilkinson can be discounted, while Jack Charlton has been mentioned but could be reluctant to return to the seven-days-a-week commitment needed.

At the moment, no clear frontrunner has emerged.

Jason McAteer joined Liverpool instead of Rovers but believes the Ewood club will survive this season.

"Now could be a good time to play Blackburn, because morale may not be too high," said the Anfield star.

"But they have to win sometime and hopefully it will not be against us.

"I think they miss Alan Shearer but you can't dismiss them just because he's not there.

"Blackburn will not get relegated. I know it's an old cliche but they are too good to go down. I think it's true in their case."

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