STUART Ripley believes an Alan Shearer/Mike Newell management partnership at Ewood Park would be a dream ticket for Blackburn.

The former Rovers and England winger, who used to provide the ammo for Shearer and Newell in their playing days, believes the combination of the old striker partnership could work as well off the field as it did on it.

And the 40-year-old Ripley, who is about to embark on a legal career, is confident his former team-mates could be a smash hit at Ewood Park once again.

He said: "Alan's definitely got the kudos if he took the job on. The fans would love it but you can't judge if he will be a success because he's never done it before.

"But he's got the leadership qualities. Alan was always a strong character and he was someone that would stand up and be counted when the chips were down, and I'm sure he could carry that forward should he become a manager."

He added: "Mike has that little bit of experience from his time with Luton. He's a real student of the game and he's football through and through.

"They're really good friends as well and they have the added bonus that they both know the club. They look to me like a real dream team."

Ripley played alongside Shearer and Newell under Kenny Dalglish during a golden period at Ewood Park.

And the University of Central Lancashire graduate believes there are comp-arisons between the two.

"They are very different characters but you can definitely see some comp-arisons," he said.

"They both played in very successful sides and performed at the highest level of the game.

"They also command respect, which is crucial.

"It doesn't always follow that if you're a good player you'll become a good manager, but Alan cert-ainly has the attributes.

"Mark Hughes was a massive loss to the club because he's established Rovers as a top-half Premier League team.

"But Alan has the attributes to fill his shoes and a personality like him can counter-act any negativity around the club."