ROY Hodgson has not made a multi-million pound bid for Parma's Hernan Crespo a priority.

But the Blackburn Rovers boss was interested enough in the Argentine striker to have made a trip to Italy to see him in action.

Hodgson today played down the increasing speculation that a deal to bring the international forward to Ewood was imminent.

There is, however, interest from the Rovers manager, not only in Crespo but also other players who were on view in Parma's 3-1 win over AC Milan on Sunday night.

Rovers have been looking to add to their striking resources, though Hodgson has been at pains to stress that - given reasonable freedom from injuries and suspensions - he is happy with what he has got.

And Chris Sutton and Kevin Gallacher currently top the Premiership goal charts.

But Hodgson has already put in one bid for Pierluigi Casiraghi at Lazio and Crespo can also be added to the list of possibilities.

"I went to watch the game and he was one of the players I was looking at," said the Rovers boss today.

"We had been alerted to the fact that he might be available now or at some time in the future.

"I remember him from my time in charge of Inter but I haven't seen him play for a year.

"It was also an opportunity to have a look at one or two other players.

"Whether anything will come of it, I don't know. It's not a priority but you have to keep an eye on things and this was a great opportunity." Hodgson's attendance at the game did not go un-noticed and he met up with his old friend Giancinto Facchetti.

Parma have already confirmed they have received a bid, from an un-named club, and several managers are thought to be interested in Crespo.

But whether he will be leaving Italy immediately remains in doubt.

The 22-year-old is reported: "I wish to remain at Parma to finish my contract here."

And Crespo's coach Carlo Ancelotti has said: "Crespo is useful to this squad, with Asprilla adding to competition for places. However, don't think we can't play all three strikers together."

Youth coach Chris Sulley has left Ewood by "mutual consent".

Head of youth development Bobby Downes said today: "I have looked at things over the last six months and I feel we need a change." Sulley, a former Rovers player, returned as a youth coach from Preston in September 1996.

Major changes took place on the youth side last summer with Downes' appointment to lead a new stand-alone set-up to avoid disruption when there are the inevitable comings and goings higher up the scale.

Having had time to assess things, Downes has now started the reconstruction he feels is necessary to keep Rovers in line with the rest of the top clubs.

Focus on youth development is set to be one of the main themes over the next few years as Premiership clubs invest heavily at home to counter the effects of Bosman on the transfer system.

All tickets for the Premiership game against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday week, January 31, have been sold.

Rovers' Premiership match against Arsenal at Ewood on Easter Monday, April 13, has been chosen by Sky for 'live' screening.

As a result, the kick-off time has been put back from 3pm-6pm.

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