CHRISTOPHE Dugarry remains on Blackburn Rovers' wanted list, even though the French international striker has signalled a preference for a move to Italy, writes PETER WHITE.

I understand that Rovers have been in contact with Dugarry's club Bordeaux again over the weekend.

And they are refusing to give up the chase for the highly-rated striker until he actually puts pen to paper elsewhere.

Rovers have the financial resources to compete even with the big guns of Serie A and Italian contacts tell me that both Inter Milan and Juventus are in the race for £4 million Dugarry.

Juventus have already agreed to take his Bordeaux team-mate, French footballer of the year Zinedine Zidane, after Euro 96.

But, of course, they have now lost striker Gianluca Vialli to Chelsea.

It could still come down to money, though, as we revealed last week, the player said that he had decided to move to Italy, rather than England, for other reasons. But no deal has yet been struck and Rovers won't accept defeat until that happens.

Ewood sources claim the club are still hoping to hear something positive from Bordeaux later this week.

It looks a long shot but they are determined to make a couple of major signings this summer. Of Rovers' own internationals, Jason Wilcox is the one on a real knife edge at the moment as everyone awaits Terry Venables' official announcement of his final 22 for Euro 96 - named tomorrow morning.

Wilcox's late England call gave him encouragement that he might make a dramatic last-minute charge into the squad and he could hardly have done more than he showed in his debut against Hungary.

But he had just a few minutes as a sub in Hong Kong yesterday and the general view seems to be that he will be one of five players to drop out of the squad that went to the Far East.

Dennis Wise is being tipped as being ahead of Wilcox in the running.

But the Ewood man could give the squad balance on the left flank - his natural side.

Alan Shearer and Tim Flowers are rated automatic choices.

Colin Hendry doesn't yet know who will be lining up alongside him in the centre of defence when Scotland begin their Euro 96 campaign.

But it is unlikely to be Alan McLaren, as the Rangers defender is expected to be ruled out of the championships by a knee operation.

Middlesbrough's Derek Whyte and Tottenham's Colin Calderwood are likely candidates but Scotland struggled defensively against the USA in Connecticut yesterday where they were beaten 2-1.

Neither Kevin Gallacher, nor Billy McKinlay, who has been carrying a slight strain, figured. Though both are expected to be named in Scotland's final 22 this week.

Chris Coleman played 69 minutes of a warm-up match for Wales against Leyton Orient before being substituted by Kit Symons.

Wales, who begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against San Marino on Sunday, were stunned by a late goal to send them to a 2-1 defeat.

Double Your Money Club £500 winner was J Armstrong, Oswaldtwistle, number 708A.

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