LEGENDARY defender Colin Hendry has urged the current Blackburn Rovers team to prove they have the desire to avoid relegation this season.

Hendry earned the nickname of ‘Braveheart’ during his playing career after being renowned for putting his body on the line in the quest for results, never more obvious than in the season Rovers won the league title in 1995.

But the 45-year-old fears that modern day footballers do not possess the same motivation and believes Rovers will need to show real commitment if they are to beat the drop.

Steve Kean’s side are now just one point clear of the relegation zone after Birmingham City drew at Everton in midweek.

Speaking at the end of a difficult week, in which he received an inquest’s verdict over the death of his wife Denise, Hendry revealed his hope that Rovers would remain in the Premier League this season.

"I have seen a lot of the games recently and I know they can stay up,” said the Scot.

“But what I worry about is whether it means enough to these players.

"Nowadays you can still earn a fantastic living in the Championship and I don't want to see players settling for bad results.

"Steve Kean I know is a highly regarded coach. I wasn't sure what the thinking was when the new owners brought him in but they are entitled to do what they think is right.

"It is going to be difficult for the rest of the season. It is not going to be easy and when you need a result that is when the pressure is really on.

"When we were under pressure in ‘95 that was completely different. It was the sort of pressure you loved and relished.

"What I worry is that it is not important enough for players any more. I sincerely hope that they stay up.

"Blackburn Rovers is my team. It is the first result I look for every weekend."

Rovers have struggled defensively at times this season, particularly away from home where they have conceded four more goals than any other team in the Premier League.

But they face a crunch match against Blackpool, another of Hendry’s old clubs, at Ewood Park next Saturday and Kean will have the option of partnering Chris Samba and Ryan Nelsen in central defence for the first time in five weeks.

Samba missed the recent defeat at Aston Villa because of illness, while Nelsen then had to serve a one-match ban in the 3-2 loss at Fulham.

Both players are regarded as leadership figures in the Rovers dressing room, just as Hendry was in his playing days.

And the former title-winner believes Samba, still only 26, has the potential to improve even further.

"Big Samba has got all of the qualities to be a really top player,” said Hendry.

“As a defender I think you get better as you mature.

“It happened with me and I can see the same in him."