ROY Hodgson looked ahead to the new season and declared - it's boom time in the Premiership.

Blackburn Rovers' new boss won't make promises he might not be able to keep, but he clearly believes there is both the ambition and the capacity at Ewood to do well during his reign.

And Hodgson, aiming to tie up any loose ends relating to the Martin Dahlin transfer in the next few days, still has high hopes of making a fifth capture in the shape of Malmo's attacking midfielder Anders Andersson.

The manager certainly won't be short of personnel as the preparations continue in earnest but he also anticipates just as competitive a challenge in England as he has experienced in Serie A during the past couple of years.

He explained: "The Premiership is undoubtedly one of the four very big European Leagues and it is definitely one of the booming industries.

"The quality of the football is very good and it's a very nice situation for me to come back after a long absence to one of the top Premier League clubs which has the ambition and the capacity to do something in that League.

"I have nothing bad to say about my time in Italy. In fact I enjoyed it very much.

"It was a very good experience, the club (Inter) was good and I wish them the best of success.

"We didn't come that far off (the Serie A title) spending nothing at all last year. So, with £60 million spent on top of what they already have, they have a good chance next year.

"I'll put my money on them to win the championship."

Hodgson's immediate aim at Ewood is to propel the club back into qualification for Europe, though he knows there are no guarantees."

To do that, he has been busy strengthening the squad, though there seems to have been a further delay in negotiating the transfer of Andersson.

Niklas Gudmundsson, who could be involved in a part-exchange - Gothenburg want the former Halmstad player - is considering his position at the moment.

If that doesn't work out, Rovers are prepared to try to seal a cash deal for Andersson who wants to join them.

Swedish clubs have now started their three-week mid-season break and, with Rovers being in that country next week, there is the obvious possibility of making real progress.

Providing they can come to an agreement with Malmo, Andersson, who won't need pre-season training, will be able to link up with them on tour.

Rovers will still be in the market for players but some names can be written off. They are not expected to follow up on young Brisbane players Kasey Wehrman and Chay Hews, who have been earning quite a reputation in Australia.

Wehrman, in any case, is out of action with a bad ankle injury he suffered in the build-up to the World Youth Championships.

Latest Double Your Money £500 winner is A Houghton (Oswaldtwistle), number 404A.

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