Exclusive, by Peter White

TERRY Venables today refused to rule himself out of contention for the job as Blackburn Rovers manager.

The former England coach has been one of the top names in the frame since Ray Harford's resignation.

Venables is currently helping Portsmouth, managed by Terry Fenwick, but he has no title.

He didn't travel to Stoke with them on Saturday. Though he said today that he didn't know anything about the newspaper speculation linking him with the Ewood post.

Asked about the possibility of coming to Blackburn, he replied: "It's the first I've heard of it.

"But I have always said I would keep my options open.

"We'll see what happens."

That's certainly not a thumbs down to Rovers, if they are interested - and they must surely be looking for a manager of such pedigree.

Talking to fans who travelled to West Ham at the weekend, many made it clear that they wouldn't be happy if Howard Wilkinson was offered the job. And there were similar feelings expressed about Bruce Rioch, who is currently number two to Stewart Houston at QPR.

Rovers need a name to excite people, as well, of course, as a man who can do the job and attract top players - given the sort of financial backing that Kenny Dalglish enjoyed in his first two or three years.

I would also be surprised if they decided to go back for Ewood old boy Howard Kendall, presently doing a good job with Sheffield United.

Kendall is another who has left his options open after being questioned about the job, saying: "I am sure if an approach is made, my chairman will tell me. "As for whether I would be interested, it's hypothetical and I won't answer."

Bramall Lane chairman Mike McDonald, however, insisted Kendall was staying.

United are in the process of restructuring the financial side of the club and he said: "If a mega, mega club wanted Howard, it would be a different matter. But we can be as big as Blackburn."

The national Press went big on Kendall but the feeling inside Ewood is that they want a new face, not a return to a former one.

Graeme Le Saux gave everyone a lift by returning earlier than expected at West Ham on Saturday. "He looked as good as anyone could have expected," said caretaker-boss Tony Parkes. "It's good to see him back, though I'm sure he'll be a bit sore."

James Thomas scored twice as Rovers B team drew 2-2 with Liverpool B at Brockhall on Saturday. James Beattie's goal earned a point for the A team, in a 1-1 draw away to Manchester United A.

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