HAT-TRICK hero Chris Sutton hit twin targets against Leicester City on Saturday - yet still doesn't expect to receive a telephone call from England coach Glenn Hoddle, writes PETER WHITE.

The striker's second hat-trick of the season fired Blackburn Rovers into second place in the table and put him clear of his rivals in the race to finish as the Premiership's leading scorer.

But, while the clamour grows to pick him for England, Sutton accepts that Hoddle is unlikely to listen.

"I have never said that I don't want to play for England. I would still like to play for my country," stressed the striker.

"The reason I turned down the chance to play in the B game was that I just did not believe it would serve any purpose for me to play.

"It seems I am just saying the same things over and over again but all I can do is play the best I can for Blackburn and I think I have been consistent so far this season.

"People keep asking what my reaction will be if I get a call from Glenn Hoddle but that's just hypothetical and very difficult to answer.

"Besides, I think it's hardly likely to happen."

He may be facing an international exile but, at club level, Sutton is on fire and delighted that Rovers managed to emerge from a sticky patch with a 5-3 win over Leicester. That puts us right back up there again and on course for Europe," he said.

"And I am really pleased we scored five goals, because it was becoming something of a burden."

Sutton's three goals were all very different in build-up and execution.

"For the first, I was level with the near post and the ball was behind me, it was just nice to see it go in," he said.

"The second, just before half time, was such a good move involving several players and showed how we did the right things and played it out from the back.

"It felt really good to score our fourth goal (his third) just after half-time. I looked round and there didn't seem to be a clear-cut pass on, so I just thought I would have a go.

"We've had an indifferent patch and it has been a tough time for us. But we've shown good character to come through it." Rovers should have been more convincing winners and Sutton said: "At 5-3 with nearly 10 minutes go, we seemed a bit nervous. We got a bit sloppy more than anything and it put a bit of a dampener on what could have been a perfect performance.

"I thought it would have been a lot closer game. They were in a position where they could have got very close to us with a win and I was surprised how we managed to get through them so often because they are normally very strong.

"In recent games, we haven't been scoring goals and we have been letting them in at the other end.

"That's a recipe for disaster so it's really pleasing for us to get five goals and win. As a team we have done well so far."

Tim Flowers, Billy McKinlay and Stuart Ripley were all injured and missed Saturday's game.

But they now have until Wednesday week to recover as Rovers' next game is away to Leeds on March 11.

Patrick Valery completed his two-match suspension on Saturday but Kevin Gallacher still has two games to go.

Title-chasing Rovers Reserves are away to Stoke City tonight, the game being staged at Newcastle Town's ground (kick-off 7pm).

The table-topping B team won 7-0 away to Blackpool. Craig Woodfield and Jon Topley got two goals apiece with Gareth Scates, Gary Hamilton and Ryan Baldacchino also on target. Rovers A beat Tranmere 3-0, with Graham Cassin (2) and Paddy Connolly the scorers.

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