SOL Campbell is at the top of Blackburn Rovers' shopping list as they search for a successor to Colin Hendry, writes PETER WHITE.

Jack Walker has promised manager Roy Hodgson massive funds to fill the gap and I understand they have already approached Tottenham about a potential deal for one of England's leading World Cup stars.

But it is still proving a tremendously difficult task to persuade rival Premiership clubs to talk about selling their top players.

And Tottenham have repeatedly said that they are not willing to part with Campbell.

Ewood chief executive John Williams understandably refuses to comment on any individuals the club might be chasing.

He would only say: "We are after the very best. We are making serious inquiries but it is difficult to get doors to open."

There was no-one available to comment at White Hart Lane.

But impeccable sources have confirmed Rovers' interest in Campbell and the supporters will be delighted to know that the club are indeed looking at the top bracket in their search for a new central defender.

It is impossible at the moment to put a figure on what Rovers might be prepared to pay for the 23-year-old defender, but it would surely be a club record - surpassing the £7.25 million they splashed on striker Kevin Davies during the summer. Whether Tottenham can be tempted to sell is the main question and Campbell would also have to be prepared to leave London.

Rovers can offer European football and ambitions of bidding for the title while Spurs have been among the Premiership's strugglers.

Campbell is not the only name on Hodgson's list but the manager will go into tomorrow's opening Premiership game against Derby at Ewood with just two senior central defenders in Darren Peacock and Stephane Henchoz.

He is happy with that pairing but cannot afford any more injuries.

Elsewhere, Hodgson seems to have a strong hand. As well as Peacock's League debut for the club, Davies and Sebastien Perez could also start for the first time in competitive action. Martin Dahlin's pre-season performances have put pressure on the manager and Davies is still not at peak fitness.

But a Davies-Chris Sutton strike force looks the likeliest bet.

The manager was happy to report that most of his squad were available, including all four players who have had groin operations, Jason Wilcox, Billy McKinlay, Kevin Gallacher and Damien Duff.

But they are at varying stages of fitness with Gallacher and Duff only recently returned to action.

Unavailable to Hodgson are Tore Pedersen, Marlon Broomes, Jim Corbett and James Thomas through injury and the suspended Tim Flowers. The team will probably not be dis-similar to the line-up against PSV Eindhoven.

Rovers are expected to choose from: Filan, Kenna, Peacock, Henchoz, Davidson, Perez, Sherwood, Flitcroft, Wilcox, Sutton, Davies, Dahlin, McKinlay, Croft, Gallacher, Duff.

Derby are expected to be near full strength, though defender Igor Stimac faces a fitness test on an injured knee.

They will choose from: Poom, Delap, Eranio, Dailly, Carbonari, Rowett, Laursen, Schnoor, Powell, Carsley, Bohinen, Baiano, Burton, Sturridge, Wanchope, Elliott, Stimac, Bridge-Wilkinson, Hoult.

Tickets will be available until kick-off time.

Hodgson could put one of his younger players, such as David Worrell or even Martin Taylor on the bench because of his problems in the centre of defence. Though Tim Sherwood has played there occasionally in the past and Sutton can always switch in an emergency.

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