Simon Garner knows a thing or two about football.

That's why when he wrote in this paper that he thought Israel might do England a favour by beating the Russians, I actually began to believe that the reprieve that we were all hoping for might actually be possible. And Simon was right.

So hold the joke that I was going to use - you know the one that goes: What have the England football team and Lewis Hamilton got in common? Answer: They've both been let down by a McClaren' - and let's pray that there's not another twist in the tale tomorrow night and England can get the point needed to qualify.

If David Bentley can win his third cap and play at least some part all Rovers fans will be doubly delighted.

I don't want to tempt fate, but even if we manage to get there, I still have little faith in Steve McClown producing a side that will be in the mix for the honours.

But I'd love to be proven wrong. Wouldn't it be great if, as well as David Bentley being involved in Austria/Switzerland, Steve Warnock might also force his way into the squad?

There was a player involved in the Russia v Israel game that I'd love to see signed on for Rovers. Andrei Arshavin strikes me as one of those rare talents that can unlock a tight defence. He has pace and is a great passer.

Big Sam' is rumoured to be eyeing him up for Newcastle' a destination that has proven a graveyard for so much talent in recent seasons.

If we were to lose out to them we could do worse than seek to persuade them to release Tugay's fellow Turk, Emre, who scored a cracker for his country last weekend and has not reached his full potential at St James' Park.

Indeed, who has in recent years, with the possible exception of Alan Shearer, who nevertheless didn't reach the heights he scaled at Ewood Park? He certainly didn't win anything with his hometown team.

I'll be pleased to get back to the Premier League next weekend.

Here's hoping that the roving Rovers will all return from international duty fit and well.

The televised trip to Fulham next Sunday is followed by two home games against sides that are in that pack of five or six clubs that, like Rovers, have realistic hopes of breaking the big four monopoly.

Villa and Newcastle will not be easy opponents, but the next three games are all winnable and Rovers will approach each one looking for maximum points.

If we get two wins out of the three, I'll be very satisfied and that will keep us knocking on the door of the top four.