THE success of twin strikers Chris Sutton and Kevin Gallacher will be a key factor for Roy Hodgson as he prepares to try to add FA Cup progress to Blackburn Rovers' challenge for the championship.

Rovers built their title triumph of three years ago on the back of the SAS, Shearer and Sutton. Now it is the GAS, Gallacher and Sutton, leading the way with a glut of goals in the search for more glory at Hillsborough on Monday night.

Both are tied on 13 League goals, better than any other striker in the chase for the Premiership's golden boot.

And Gallacher's hat-trick against Aston Villa meant he had beaten his previous best of 11 League goals in a single season at Coventry. He has also equalled his top seasonal haul of 16 in all competitions, with Sutton's 14 League and Cup strikes making a grand total of 30.

Their success, however, does not surprise Hodgson.

"I think they are getting a lot of chances so their 30 goals are not coming like Sturridge's goals for Derby - from next-to-no chances. They are coming from regular chances every game.

"I think the team is creating a lot of chances, they are doing more than their fair share to make it a good team and they are profiting by it. The way we are playing and the chances we are creating means good strikers will score goals and they are good strikers - both of them.

"But I don't think, at the moment, that we are reliant on them in the sense that if they weren't scoring goals we would not be winning." Hodgson quickly saw the two as an effective strike force after arriving at Ewood and despite signing Martin Dahlin for £1.6 million from Roma.

"I knew about Kevin Gallacher more than Chris Sutton because he played for Scotland against Switzerland," said the manager.

"But I don't know that I had any opinions or preconceived ideas (before I came).

"I was happy to work with the players who were here and give them every chance to stake a claim for a place in the team.

"They have responded magnificently and rewarded my confidence in them in the best possible way.

"Gallacher's reputation, unfortunately for him, is that he is not a goalscorer. So he is laying that ghost to rest.

"He is obviously a goalscorer."

Gallacher shrugs off suggestions that he and Sutton are continually trying to outscore each other.

"There's been some banter but there's no competition between us, we are out to do a job and we are both doing it at the minute," he said.

"We spoke about Wright and Bergkamp at the start of the season because they were both flying and it's been working for myself and for Chris." Hodgson's decision to substitute Gallacher last Saturday enabled the striker to have his own personal ovation.

"Someone asked me when was the last time a player scored a hat-trick and was taken off," said the Scot.

"But I think Roy had seen enough and he wanted to give another couple of fresh faces a chance.

"I was happy with the three goals.

"As long as myself and Chris can continue it, it's great for us.

"We are both enjoying it and if the team keep playing as well as we are doing and creating the chances for us, then we will score more than we will miss."

For the record, the last time a Rovers player was substituted after scoring a hat-trick was in March last year against Wimbledon. And it was...Kevin Gallacher!

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