Friday: Shearer and the England gossip ..

Alan Shearer says he is stunned to be linked with the vacant England manager's role.

Not as stunned as the public would be if he got the job.

Don't get me wrong, Shearer is a Blackburn Rovers legend, but one step at a time Barwick.

Meanwhile, Matt Derbyshire faces a race against time but may well be back in time to face Fulham this weekend, as Eat Sleep Sport reports.

Monday: Old Trafford aftermath ..

Quotes galore from the BBC in the aftermath of Rovers' 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford yesterday. You need a bit of luck away from home, and as this clip proves, Blackburn didn't get any.

The Offside blog gives a lighter approach to matters and insists there is still every reason to be cheerful.

Probably got a point too ..

Reid's holiday postponed ..

Mark Hughes has told Stephen Reid that his Republic of Ireland soujourn has been postponed while the midfielder continues his path back from injury.

Sparky is also on the lookout for Fiorentina defender Tomas Ujfalusi (Ed-I'm sure that sounds rude) as Clubcall explains.

Care to try pairing him up at the back with Andre Ooijer and running it past the censors?

Wednesday AM: The secret to Blackburn's success ..

Check out Dan Clough's excellent assessment of the Rovers season so far on Soccerlens. Why are the club doing so well, how long will it last, and is it all thanks to Frannie Jeffers leaving? Can't be, surely ..

Good news too for Stephen Reid who, despite still being injured, is back in the Republic of Ireland set-up. Head for The Offside for that story.

Rovers buyout bid still on

Suggestions that Dan Williams and his consortium has pulled out of making a bid to buy Blackburn Rovers seem premature reports The Lancashire Telegraph

The paper understands that no decision has yet been made on whether a move will be made by the US entrepreneur, who has been dubbed the 'new Jack Walker'.

Stuart Rips into England fans

Blackburn legend Stuart Ripley has blasted England fans who booed David Bentley when he came off the bench for his full senior debut on Saturday.

"It's ridiculous," the former England winger told the Blackburn Citizen. "He made the decision to pull out of the Under-21s to keep himself fit and fresh for Rovers and for England, and to be booed like that is very disappointing."

Meanhwile Rovers midfielder Robbie Savage insists Wales stand no chance of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup if John Toshack stays in charge.

Speaking to the Blackburn Citizen Savage said: "John Toshack told us to judge him after the European qualifying games. The truth is we have gone a long way backwards."

Bentley defies boo boys

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David Bentley says he expected to be booed by fans when making his England debut against Israel on Saturday.

Speaking to Football.co.uk the Blackburn midfielder still insists his decision to withdraw from the under 21's last summer was the correct one.

Meanwhile Benni McCarthy believes Blackburn can target domestic and European silverware this season.

"I am convinced Blackburn can achieve big things in the Premier League and the Uefa Cup this season," McCarthy told several sites

Not Dunn for just yet ..

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph has reported that Derek Fazackerley believes midfielder David Dunn has what it takes to force himself back into England contention. Well, if Heskey can do it .. ?

Meanwhile, Morten Gamst Pederson has told press that the club's forward-line can fire Rovers into the Premier League's top four. True, maybe, but has he seen them defend?