COLIN Hendry has not yet been ruled out of Blackburn Rovers' big derby clash with Everton at Ewood on Saturday.

It must be touch and go for the defender, who has also been named in Scotland's squad for next week's friendly against France, but as there doesn't appear to be any serious long-term damage that will be very re-assuring for Rovers supporters.

Hendry saw the club's specialist yesterday over the knee injury which forced him to be substituted at Barnsley last Saturday.

It seems it was a straightforward twisted knee, apparently with no complications, and the club are monitoring his condition on a daily basis.

The resilient Hendry has been an ever-present in the Premiership so far, after battling back from pre-season surgery to surprise everyone by being fit for the opening game.

Meanwhile, the dust seems to have settled after last weekend's shock comments and manager Roy Hodgson's search for new players at senior level is continuing.

But Rovers are also looking to strengthen at all levels of the club. They have had two young Swedes on trial at Brockhall this week, thanks to the manager's Scandinavian contacts.

Tommy Jonsson, of Malmo, is a left back, while Karl Corneliusson, who plays for Orgryte, is a right-sided defender.

Both have been in the Swedish under-21 squad and it has been a case of Rovers being able to take a first-hand look at them and the players having the opportunity to check out the club. Their own season has finished and they played in an under-21 game against Sunderland behind closed doors but no decisions have yet been taken by either party about a move. Rovers are looking long term as well as short with their interest in the transfer market.

On the youth side, we revealed Bobby Downes' hopes of expanding their network last night, to build on the excellent work done by Jim Furnell and his scouting staff over previous years when they have unearthed a number of outstanding young players.

Some of them, like Jason Wilcox, have gone all the way to win a full international cap.

Damien Duff and Marlon Broomes are now regulars in the Ewood squad and local lads such as James Beattie, who has appeared in the first team, Gareth Stewart and David Dunn, both members of England youth squads, are making progress.

But there are still vacancies for young players keen to develop and make their mark.

Jeff Kenna, as expected, has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for their crucial World Cup play-off second leg in Belgium on Saturday week. Former Preston winger Kevin Kilbane, now with West Brom, has also been recalled as the Irish bid for a place in the finals.

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