FOR Colin Hendry read Sol Campbell.

At first glance there's a world of difference both in style and stature between the Blackburn Rovers star and his Tottenham counterpart.

But, in reality, they have so much in common, not least the fact that they continue to prove that the best of British can always thrive even in a climate which repeatedly sees the spotlight focused on a growing number of foreign imports.

Providing Hendry has fully recovered from the 'dead leg' he suffered against Leeds, the Scot will take his place at the heart of a Rovers defence which conceded as many goals - four - in one game on Sunday as it had in the previous five.

And, dominating the opposite penalty area with the aim of putting the brakes on Rovers' free-scoring frontline, will be Campbell, the man many judges believe will be a key man in the England set-up for years to come.

When Hendry first came to England just over 10 years ago, he was a raw-boned youngster unsure whether his best position was up front or at the back.

Similarly, when Campbell first broke into the senior ranks with Spurs, he was often regarded as a utility player, filling a host of positions iuncluding striker and full back.

Indeed, in one of his early games for Spurs against Rovers, the Londoner played up front and scored the only goal in a fourth round Coca-Cola Cup tie.

Like Hendry, however, Campbell gradually settled into the key defensive role which took him to a regular spot with Spurs and the brink of international fame and fortune.

Regular observers of Spurs are in no doubt as to his value - "He holds the entire team together," said one journalist who covers all of the North London club's games. "In the first half of last season, he was almost faultless, absolutely outstanding and totally dominant at the back. There were a few hiccups in the second half of the season but he has come back again as good as ever."

Like Hendry, Campbell is a very influential physical presence in the penalty area. But he did have his hands full at Leicester last weekend in circumstances which could provide a pointer for Rovers.

"By his standards, it was one of his poorer games, partly because Leicester's Emile Heskey was able to compete physically with him," added the critic.

Chris Sutton will be charged with filling the Heskey role at White Hart Lane tomorrow for he is capable of matching most central defenders in the physical battle.

Spurs boss Gerry Francis will also be expecting a much-improved display from Campbell, who celebrated his 23rd birthday this week.

"The Saturday after an international game, he never looks as good," said Francis.

"Playing for England during the week takes so much out of him.

"You can see he's exhausted from the game and he's never the same player in an international week."

Although injuries have restricted Campbell's appearances to three full games and 17 minutes in the Premiership so far this season, his influence is clear.

And Francis knows he will need all those qualities against a Rovers attack which has outscored everyone else in the Premiership so far this season.

Tackling is a forte of both men as our exclusive Carling Opta statistics show. So too are blocks, clearances and interceptions.

That was particularly true for Campbell at Arsenal where Spurs escaped with a 0-0 draw largely thanks to the brilliance of the England man.

In that one match alone, he made 10 tackles, two clearances and six interceptions to keep Arsenal at bay almost single-hjanded.

But look at their high pass completion rate too - ample evidence that the all-round game of both players is top drawer.

The performances of these two defensive colossuses could well hold the key to success or failure for Rovers at White Hart Lane tomorrow.

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