BLACKBURN Rovers could be set to turn their attentions to Norwich City manager Bruce Rioch in the search for a new boss.

The Ewood board were forced back to the drawing board when Barnsley boss Dave Bassett ruled himself out.

Rioch would satisfy many of the criteria that Rovers are looking for.

He has experience in the lower leagues and has a reputation as a disciplinarian.

Norwich are mid-table in Division One but the club is suffering financial problems.

And an approach to Rioch may not be rejected if a suitable compensation package could be agreed with Carrow Road chiefs.

Rioch would also welcome the opportunity to work without severe cash restraints.

The 53-year-old made his managerial name at a bankrupt Middlesbrough in the 1980s when he won promotion in consecutive years.

He then took Millwall to the play-offs before winning promotion twice in three seasons for Bolton, as well as taking the club to the Coca-Cola Cup Final.

But he left Burnden Park before trying his hand in the Premiership to spend a troubled year at Arsenal.

A spell at QPR followed before Rioch joined Norwich in June 1998.

National newspapers today claimed that Bassett rejected a move to Ewood because he would not have been allowed to bring his own backroom staff. Colin Todd remains in the frame, although he has not been interviewed for the post, as some reports have suggested.

And, if new attempts to find a fresh face are unsuccessful, Rovers may be tempted to try and persaude Tony Parkes to try his hand on a longer term basis.

Meanwhile, Per Frandsen is hoping to get his Rovers career back on track.

The Danish international was left out of the 16 altogether for the first two games of Tony Parkes's fifth stint in charge, despite only signing from Bolton recently.

But he gave Parkes a quick reminder of his ability at Crewe on Tuesday night when he came on for David Dunn as a half time substitute.

Frandsen made an immediate impact, thumping the crossbar with a sizzling 30-yarder just minutes after his introduction.

That may now have presented Parkes with a problem as he prepares for Saturday's visit of Stockport County.

And the popular caretaker has also been impressed with the way Frandsen has accepted the situation.

"Per Frandsen has handled it very professionally," said Parkes.

"He's probably not used to being out of the side.

"He was pretty much a regular every week at Bolton so he's had a bit of a disappointment, especially after not being involved with Denmark during the international fortnight. "But he's treated it very professionally and that's all you can hope for as a manager."

Central defender Darren Peacock faces a fitness battle, however, before he will know if he is in contention for the weekend.

Peacock damaged a heel against Fulham last Saturday which kept him out of the squad which faced Crewe on Tuesday.

Craig Short had to be drafted in as cover, despite having been sidelined himself recently with a calf strain.

But he performed admirably and Parkes may call on him again if Peacock does not make it.

"Darren could be back but it's a question of wait and see," said Parkes.

"His injury meant Craig Short had to come back a little earlier than we would have liked to bring him back because he'd only trained for a couple of days or so.

"But, thankfully, he lasted the pace and he did well for me."

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