TONY Parkes last night insisted the job of managing Blackburn Rovers is still one of the most attractive in the Premiership despite the club's difficult start to the season.

Rovers are currently languishing in the bottom three after Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United.

But Parkes has dismissed claims that Graeme Souness's eventual successor has a difficult task ahead of him.

"I don't think it's a tough job," said Parkes, who took temporary charge of team affairs for the game at St James'.

"We've got some good players and a lot of international players so it's a good job for whoever comes in.

"I'm sure if you spoke to Graeme (Souness) about the job, there's only certain jobs he would have taken because he thought this was a very good club and the applications we've received would suggest that."

Rovers will step up their search for a successor to Souness in the next few days with Mark Hughes and Iain Dowie the two leading names on their short list of three.

It's unlikely an appointment will be made before Saturday's game with Portsmouth but Rovers hope to be in a position to unveil their new man by the middle of next week.

"They want to do it quickly but they won't panic," said Parkes.

"We need to clear things up because it's all about the players, and the sooner we sort it out the better."

Saturday's result at St James' certainly increased the pressure on the board to make a quick appointment.

Rovers are still searching for their first victory of the new season and they've only won six out of 25 in all competitions since Paul Gallagher's goal secured a 1-0 win at Newcastle last December.

Any hopes of a repeat of that result had evaporated within the opening quarter of an hour of Saturday's re-match.

Newcastle - watched by new manager Graeme Souness - surged into a 2-0 lead thanks to Garry Flitcroft's own goal and a header from Alan Shearer.

Then Andy O'Brien put the seal on a comprehensive victory for the Magpies with a third in the 82nd minute as Rovers finished the game well beaten.

Rovers reserve team midfielder Neil Danns has joined Colchester United on loan.