CHRIS Coleman's fast-developing partnership with Colin Hendry has been a real bonus for Blackburn Rovers manager Ray Harford.

The loss of Ian Pearce, who played such an important role in last season's championship success, was a stunning blow to Rovers.

And the young central defender, tipped to go all the way to the top by his manager, hasn't played a game of any kind since November when he suffered a major ankle injury.

But Coleman's arrival from First Division Crystal Palace, and the Welsh international's ability to settle into his new surroundings relatively quickly, have been a big boost.

The partnership of Coleman and Hendry in the centre of defence was seen to its best effect against Newcastle, when they faced the high-powered attack of Les Ferdinand and Faustino Asprilla. The Rovers' pair came out well on top.

"Playing centre half is a position of very high responsibility and I think Chris may have been a little bit nervous when he first arrived," said the manager. "But he forms a nice blend with Colin, one preferring the right foot, the other the left. In fact, he reminds me a little bit of Colin when he first came back from Manchester City.

"He has made one or two mistakes but I believe he can go on to become a very good player.

"We have some of the best defenders in the country here at Ewood and that will be significantly strengthened when Ian Pearce and Graeme Le Saux are fit again."

Harford admitted after Monday's win over Newcastle that he had never seen Asprilla as quiet as he was in that game since the Colombian came to England.

Shay Given and Jeff Kenna have both been named in the Republic of Ireland squad to play the Czech Republic in Prague on April 24.

Goalkeeper Given, however, is injured at the moment and may have to drop out.

Chris Coleman is in the Welsh squad to play Switzerland and no doubt Rovers will also be represented in the English and Scottish squads to be named soon.

Lars Bohinen revealed that he would not be going to Rovers' game at Nottingham Forest today to avoid any possible incidents after leaving the City Ground earlier this season.

Forest fans were angry that Bohinen had a get out clause in his contract enabling him to join Rovers for a cut price fee and there were reports today that he had received death threats from extremists.

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