A TRIO of leading German clubs are lining up to try to tempt Ewood striker Martin Dahlin back to the Bundesliga.

And, if a suitable offer came in, Blackburn Rovers would almost certainly not stand in the way of the Swedish international who has failed to make an impact since his £1.6 million move to England, writes PETER WHITE.

Ewood chief executive John Williams admitted: "We would be realistic about the situation."

Bundesliga sides Hamburg, Schalke and Hertha Berlin are all believed to be showing interest in Dahlin, who is clearly ranked fourth at the moment behind Chris Sutton, Kevin Gallacher and Kevin Davies among Roy Hodgson's striking resources. Scottish giants Celtic, desperate for strikers, are also thought to be monitoring Dahlin's situation.

Hodgson today confirmed that there had been no contact from Celtic and that there was no fee on Dahlin's head.

And Everton, another club in the market for front players, might revive their interest.

The Merseysiders made one unsuccessful attempt to sign him several years ago but he decided that the time was not quite ripe to move to England.

A return to the Bundesliga, however, could still be the favourite.

Dahlin is popular in Germany, where he had two successful spells with Borussia Moenchengladbach.

His latest was the season before last.

For, although Rovers actually bought him from Italian club Roma in the summer of 1997, he had spent most of the previous season on extended loan to Gladbach and proved a regular marksman.

Dahlin's opportunities at Ewood have been limited. He was dogged by back problems last season and could not dislodge the successful partnership of Sutton and Gallacher. The Swede started 11 Premiership games and made an appearance as a substitute in 10 others. He scored four League goals.

At the end of the season, Dahlin travelled to America for specialist treatment to his back and returned with a programme of daily exercises designed to keep the problems at bay.

The result was a much fitter and sharper player who impressed in the pre-season matches. But, with Kevin Davies added to the squad last summer, his chances of establishing a regular place in the side became even slimmer.

Rovers have not yet had any firm bids but, if someone was to move in with a realistic proposition, they would almost certainly listen to it.

And Hodgson also today admitted that central defender Tore Pedersen was surplus to requirements and was available for transfer.

Meanwhile, the debate over Glenn Hoddle's future as England coach continues and was believed to be on the agenda at a planned Football Association International Committee meeting today. Hodgson has emerged as a leading contender for the England post should Hoddle leave, for whatever reason.

Although Hoddle's post-World Cup report was the main item, it is understood his tenure in charge of the national team was also to be debated. Hoddle still has another 21 months on his current contract to run, taking him through to the end of the Euro 2000 Championships - providing England reach the final stages in Holland and Belgium.

And the FA are believed to want him to sign a contract taking him through to the World Cup finals in 2002, despite recent revelations in his book and those of Tony Adams which questioned Hoddle's relationship with his players.

If Hoddle did accept a new deal, then the speculation over Hodgson would cease, at least for the time being. The Ewood boss has also been linked with the posts of national coach with both Sweden and Germany.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.