FORMER Blackburn Rovers defender Keith Hill has been appointed Rochdale manager until the end of the season.

Hill, 37, had been caretaker at the League Two club since Steve Parkin left on December 16, and guided them to successive 4-0 wins over Boston and Grimsby in the space of three days over the new year.

Hill, who played more than 150 games for Dale between 1996 and 2001, will take charge for the first time as manager at Wycombe on Saturday with his side in 19th place in the table, just a point above the relegation zone.

Hill said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed the last couple of weeks in charge and now I'm looking forward to the future.

"It is something I've always wanted to do since I retired from playing and it's nice to be given the opportunity to continue the job I started.

"I wouldn't say it's too early because I am mentally prepared to do the job.

"We are at the wrong end of the league table and we have to be positive about the future."

Hill started his footballing career as a junior at Blackburn Rovers in 1987, playing 103 times for the first team before a switch to Plymouth in 1992.

He ended his playing career at Wexham.