BLACKBURN Rovers were today close to unveil Glyn Hodges as the successor to Tony Parkes.

The Wales Under 21 international coach has been formally offered the job of reserve team manager at Rovers.

And Mark Hughes was hoping for a positive response from his fellow countryman this morning, with the aim being to have Hodges in place at some point later this week.

A vacancy cropped up in Hughes' backroom team after Parkes was sacked from the post on Friday.

Rovers have since apologised for the way Parkes learned of his fate in the media and they have already launched an internal investigation into how the news leaked out.

Rovers' chief executive, John Williams, said in a statement: "We are a club which prides itself on doing our business, including the difficult things, in a proper manner, but the leaking of the story made that impossible.

"Following Rob Kelly's unexpected departure to Leicester, Mark Hughes had to re-organise the reserve team coaching, in particular to reflect the importance of the vital link with our Academy. As a result, Tony's position became redundant.

"Following a Board meeting last week, it was agreed that Mark would inform Tony first thing on Friday and then I would meet with Tony to follow up.

"Unfortunately, the story was leaked to a national newspaper. In retrospect, we now wish we had acted 24 hours earlier, but timescales were tight and we wanted to explore any possible alternatives and to offer Tony a testimonial.

"We could not realistically expect a leak given the strict confidentiality of the matter.

"We deeply regret any embarrassment caused to Tony and his family.

"It has not been possible to find Tony an alternative and meaningful football position at the club and he is clear that he wishes to continue working in football.

"Tony has made it clear that he has no axe to grind with the club and, in spite of his obvious disappointment, it is not an acrimonious parting."

"Nonetheless, the way the story was leaked - a matter beyond our control - has left us with egg on our face and we can only apologise again to Tony and wish him every success in the future.

"He knows he will always be very welcome at Ewood Park."

Jon Stead has been pulled out of England's Under-21 squad due to an ankle injury picked up in Saturday's game against Manchester City.