WORLD Cup certainty Colin Hendry believes Chris Sutton's performances and goals could yet force Glenn Hoddle to rethink his England plans.

And the Blackburn Rovers defender finds it "beyond belief" that Ewood skipper Tim Sherwood has not yet figured in Hoddle's World Cup build-up.

Hendry, Sherwood, Stuart Ripley and Gary Croft faced nearly 500 Rovers fans at a Supporters' Association forum at Ewood last night.

The evening was a huge success as the quartet offered their opinions on wide-ranging topics.

And Scotland star Hendry reckons Sutton could yet make the plane to France.

"What I would really like to know is if he has a Scottish grandmother," he laughed.

"To be fair to Chris, whatever manner you want to look at it, he has made a decision. As a team we we stick together and we can accept his decision.

"But if he keeps doing what he's doing and scoring his goals it is going to be very difficult for Glenn Hoddle to put him on one side.

"And there are some very important players to Hoddle, such as Ian Wright, Robbie Fowler and Les Ferdinand who can all compete at that level but who look as if they might struggle to be available. "For Tim Sherwood not to be involved at any stage is beyond belief. For a team to be involved at the top of the Premiership and players not to be recognised is a crying shame.

"These are top players and deserve a chance."

Sherwood revealed he should already have made his England debut, under Terry Venables.

For the ex-England boss had promised him a second half appearance as a sub in the abandoned game in Dublin.

"We all know what happened," said the skipper.

"But I believe there are some great midfield players in the squad and some not in there.

"I think Ray Parlour is one of the best. It's not only me, there are a lot (trying to get in)."

Ripley too hasn't given up on his chances.

"You never give up hope but there is an enormous amount of players out there and no-one has a right to be in the squad," he said.

All four were unanimous about Roy Hodgson's arrival having transformed Rovers.

Sherwood said: "He has raised the profile and I think that's what the club needed after losing Kenny and Alan.

"For someone who hasn't played football at a high level he has a tremendous knowledge of the game and I am certainly learning from him."

Ripley: "He has instilled a bit of direction since he came. We were a very direct team and I think his ethic is to put an extra pass in between the back and the forwards."

Croft: "He has made a big impression on me. For one, he's put me in the side and there's the way he likes us to play the game. He gives everyone direction and confidence." Hendry: "There's only been one major change in personnel (Stephane Henchoz) and I think the manager has instilled self-belief in the club."

The players were asked about their favourite teams and players as youngsters.

Sherwood: Arsenal ("But it still couldn't lure me away!") and Liam Brady and Graham Rix; Croft Derby County, John Gregory and Dean Saunders; Ripley Middlesbrough and Craig Johnston; Hendry Aberdeen and Joe Harper.

Asked what Rovers meant to them, the skipper said: "It means a lot because without coming to Blackburn I wouldn't have had success.

"The players have self-pride and they want to do it for Blackburn. We get paid good money and we know we have to earn it. We want to win games as much as the fans and the disappointment is trebled in the dressing room (when we lose). I think the fans should know that."

They were also in favour of professional referees and unconcerned that the "experts" in the national media rarely gave Rovers credit.

Hendry revealed what he said after the irony of scoring against Leicester, following the cup shoot-out: "I said I can score a goal maybe through 12 players from an angle, yet I couldn't score from the penalty spot!"

Rovers have re-arranged their home game against Barnsley for Tuesday, March 31 (kick-off 7.45pm).

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