COLIN Hendry may be prepared to form one half of an Ewood dream ticket as Blackburn Rovers begin the search for a new manager.

Sources close to the player believe the Scottish international would happily return to the club to work alongside a more experienced figure-head like former Rangers boss Graeme Souness.

But whether or not a high-profile character like Souness would be happy with some kind of job-share scenario still remains to be seen.

Hendry is seen by some fans as the ideal figurehead to turn the club around despite heading north for Rangers just over a year ago.

And clearly some sections of the Ewood faithful would love to see him return as the new team boss.

But whether that enthusiasm is shared in the Ewood corridors of power remains to be seen.

It hurt many people when he left the club on the eve of last season.

And Hendry has no coaching or managerial experience so the chance to work alongside a more experienced figure could appeal to the Scot.

"Coaching and management is very much in Colin's career plan," said the source close to the player.

"But I think Colin realises it would be a learning curve and it might be better to work with someone else.

"It would obviously be up to the club to put together a package like that.

"And then of course someone like Souness would have to be up for it as well.

"But I could see a scenario where Colin could work alongside someone else."

First team coach Brian McClair was also sacked along with manager Brian Kidd.

So that effectively leaves two vacancies for the club to fill. Current caretaker Tony Parkes admits Rovers are currently operating with a member of staff short on the coaching side.

But he is not fazed by the fact the arrival of a managerial double act may put his own job on the line.

"People always say to me when a new manager comes in 'Where does that leave you?," said Parkes.

"Well it's left me at Ewood on all occasions whenever a new manager has arrived.

"Brian Kidd and Brian McClair both came in together and I was still employed.

"Roy Hodgson came in by himself which made it a little bit easier to find a position for me.

"It's when they come in as a double act, though, that it becomes more difficult.

"But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it and in the meantime we'll just get on with trying to win a game of football.

"We've still got a chance of getting out of this league.

"Obviously, the top two places have gone so for those players in that dressing room the pressure is off.

"But we can still get a play-off position, there's no doubt about that.

"And that's got to be the aim at the moment.

"When we are in there with 10 games to go then we might be able to look a bit higher."

Parkes went into today's game against Ipswich with an impressive track record during his previous spells as caretaker.

But he is urging the Ewood board not to take too long before making a permanent appointment.

"I think it's always important that it's done quickly," said Parkes. "It's important for the players.

"I think the players will go along with me for a short time, knowing it's only going to be for one, two or three games.

"All caretaker managers start well and let's hope this is no exception.

"But then they find a level and the players find their level as well.

"And that's when the new manager has to come in, take over and get the club going.

"A caretaker is exactly what it says. I'm just in charge for a short time, just to get the team through this unhappy time until they've sorted out a new manager."

Parkes was keeping his cards close to his chest in regard to team selection for the Ipswich clash but home-grown duo Martin Taylor and David Dunn could be in line for recalls.

I'd expect Parkes to make changes with an accent on youth.

Meanwhile, Christian Dailly and Callum Davidson have been included in the Scotland squad for the play-off games against England.

The pair will link up with the rest of the squad after today's game.

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