JIM Furnell made a very worthwhile trip to Dublin in midweek, to cast an eye over the under-18 international between the Republic of Ireland and Denmark.

The game, between the cream of the two countries' young football talent, finished in a 2-2 draw, with Ewood starlets Damien Duff and Mark Benson in action for Eire.

And it was significant for one particular reason, as Jim explained: "Damien Duff was the best player on the pitch by a mile. He really was outstanding."

That's good news for the youngster and for the club. Duff has made excellent progress over the past year or so, becoming a regular in the reserves and tasting first team action in the pre-season friendlies.

He is definitely one to watch for the not too distant future.

THINKING of taking an Easter holiday? Well, Rovers fans can now do so in the knowledge that there isn't a single Premiership game scheduled over the Easter weekend!

Easter Monday was blank anyway, but now the Easter Saturday fixtures have also been affected by the international programme. Rovers' game at Tottenham on March 29 has been postponed and a new date has yet to be arranged.

The game against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park on Saturday, December 14, however, goes ahead as scheduled as the internationals around that date do not involve any players from the two clubs.

TONY Parkes finds himself in a familiar role this weekend, that of caretaker-manager - for the third time!

Parkes, who has been with the club for 26 years, first took over in the period between Bob Saxton's axing and Don Mackay's appointment at the beginning of 1987.

He was in charge again in Autumn 1991, following Mackay's departure and before the arrival of Kenny Dalglish and Ray Harford.

Now he's back in the hot seat and he reflected ruefully: "I said jokingly when Kenny and Ray came five years ago that the club were only keeping me on for when Kenny left and they needed a caretaker.

"I never really thought it would come to this. It's a sad day but, as ever, I'll continue doing my best for the club."

LATEST Double Your Money Club £500 winner is F Walsh, Blackburn, number 969A. Rovers Return winner of the £840 prize at the Stockport game was H Owens, Lostock Hall.

Starting with next Sunday's game against Liverpool, the Rovers Return draw will have three prizes. In addition to the main cash prize, there will be a £200 holiday voucher sponsored by Pontin and an autographed ball up for grabs.

FANS are reminded that the Liverpool game is all-ticket and they will NOT be available on the day of the match which has been switched to Sunday, November 3 (kick-off 3pm), as the Anfield side are involved in Europe next Thursday.

The match is not live on TV and Rovers fans can obtain tickets on production of a stub from one of the home games against Derby, Leeds, Spurs or Arsenal. It is one ticket per stub with a maximum of four per application and supporters are asked by the club to buy their seats as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

THE Premiership game at Nottingham Forest, due to be played on Saturday, September 23, has been switched to Monday, November 25 (8pm) for "live" screening by Sky.

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