COLIN Hendry's hopes of making an imminent return for both club and country were on the line today, as the big brave Scot battled to declare himself fit again, just 28 days after groin surgery.

Blackburn Rovers' caretaker-boss Tony Parkes, who looks certain to be in charge again this weekend in the absence of a new appointment, is keeping his fingers crossed that Hendry can also make Sunday's Premiership date with Liverpool.

And there's another incentive for Hendry to make a rapid return.

Scotland boss Craig Brown was set to announce his squad this afternoon for the crucial World Cup qualifying clash with Sweden on Sunday week.

Hendry's presence would give Rovers a lift as their desperate need for a Premiership victory increases every week.

He wants to get back into the front line as soon as possible and he is also anxious to play his part for Scotland, who will establish themselves as hot favourites to qualify if they can beat Sweden. "Colin has a chance for Sunday, it just depends on what happens in the next couple of days," said Parkes.

"Hopefully, he can have a full day's training today and if everything is okay and he gets the go-ahead, he can join in with the rest of the lads.

"That's when the real test comes." Rovers have already welcomed one long-term casualty back in the shape of Graeme Le Saux, who tasted first team football for the first time in 10 months at Upton Park last Saturday.

Le Saux seems to have come through the test well and is sure of a tremendous reception at Ewood on Sunday.

Meanwhile, there has not been any significant movement over the vacant managerial position.

But, with a fortnight's break from matches after Sunday, because of the internationals, I would expect to see something happen reasonably quickly.

Rovers dare not leave it much longer to install a new man.

Even though Parkes is quite capable of looking after things, Rovers can't really figure in the transfer market until they have made an appointment. No new names have cropped up and Rovers chairman Robert Coar said today: "It is an ongoing situation.

"We aren't going to rush into anything but we realise the need to make an appointment, the right appointment, as soon as we can."

There does not seem to have been any movement over Terry Venables and I do not believe any talks have been held over the past couple of days.

The club are probably weighing up the various options.

Although Jim Smith has ruled himself out, another ex-Rovers boss Howard Kendall is still the subject of speculation and, while I don't think they would be particularly aiming to go down that road, he must remain a possibility and has done it at the top. So too must people like Venables and Jack Charlton, simply because of their availability and the fact that they have worked at the highest level with knowledge of the European scene.

Wimbledon boss Joe Kinnear's name has been mentioned, but has he a high-enough profile?

Inter Milan's Roy Hodgson certainly has the profile and did a superb job with the Swiss national side before joining the Italian giants and taking them to the top of Serie A.

The question is whether Rovers could tempt him to come back to England.

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