TONY Parkes summed up Graeme Le Saux's return to the international arena last night in one word - "Smashing!"

The Blackburn Rovers caretaker-boss travelled to Wembley for a first-hand look at Le Saux, whose recall was the one bright spot for Glenn Hoddle's England.

And he believes that the full back is now back to where he was before the horrendous ankle injury which struck him down 14 months ago.

"It's got to be a great confidence booster for Graeme and that has to be good for us too," said Parkes as he got all his squad together to prepare for Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie against Coventry City at Ewood.

"He did really well. The longer the game went on the better he got. He had a smashing game, particularly in the second half.

"And you have to remember that he was in an unfamiliar position.

"He played there under Terry Venables but that's a long time ago. It's not as if he's playing that role every week."

Le Saux was named Green Flag man of the match and expressed his own delight at having crowned his courageous comeback by being able to perform at the highest level again.

But, like everyone else, he was very disappointed by defeat against the Italians and had to reflect on the team's display as a whole.

"I think we should have a good look at the video and look at our own performances. We have all got to come back stronger from it," he said. Rovers fans would take pride from Le Saux's contribution last night. He looked the outstanding England player on the field.

But there was bitter disappointment that Tim Flowers, Hoddle's most experienced keeper after injured David Seaman, was ignored in favour of Ian Walker and David James.

It might well have been a costly decision by Hoddle and Parkes said: "It must have been very disappointing for Tim.

"I couldn't understand why he was not involved."

Meanwhile, Parkes has to start his striker search all over again following Marek Citko's decision to stay in Poland. The collapse of a transfer deal which had taken a long time to set up surprised most people, not least the caretaker-boss.

"It certainly came as a shock, a very big surprise, to be told he wasn't coming," said Parkes. "But we will have to start looking again. There's nothing specific at the moment but we still want to add some more firepower to the squad if at all possible."

Rovers anticipate a clean bill of health from the players who have been on international duty.

Colin Hendry, Kevin Gallacher and Billy McKinlay returned yesterday from Scotland's trip, while Jeff Kenna was on the bench for the Republic of Ireland against Wales.

Le Saux and Flowers were due back today.

Tickets for Saturday's tie are on sale at Ewood at normal matchday prices. They will be available up to kick-off time.

Rovers will be at home to Norwich in the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup, if they can beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in the re-arranged fourth round match on Wednesday night.

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