LONG-TERM injury victims Paul Warhurst and Ian Pearce could be back in action before Blackburn Rovers find a new manager!

That's how it looks at the moment, as the search for a successor to Ray Harford gets ready to rumble on into a seventh week.

And caretaker-boss Tony Parkes will welcome the pair back as soon as they are ready to resume training.

"Hopefully, Paul Warhurst will be able to start next week and Ian Pearce isn't too far away either," said Parkes.

"He might be two or three weeks, but we're pleased that things seem to be moving in the right direction for both of them."

Warhurst has been out for three months, after suffering a torn hamstring against Leeds early in the season.

He attempted a comeback a couple of weeks ago but had to go back for further treatment.

Now Rovers hope he will be given the all-clear to resume full training.

Pearce, who had battled back from a nine-month absence with an ankle problem, had to undergo groin surgery last month to clear a niggling injury. But both players seem to be winning their rehabilitation battle.

They will also need games, however, before being able to come into contention for a first-team spot.

The other senior player out of action long-term is Chris Coleman and he too is making progress.

He has had the plaster removed following an operation on his ruptured Achilles tendon and has started the long haul back to fitness.

Parkes, meanwhile, is carrying on as normal in the absence of any hard news about the managerial situation.

Rovers continue to keep a low profile about their ongoing search for a new boss, which suggests they haven't made much genuine progress.

There were hopes earlier this week that the club's interest in Sampdoria coach Sven Goran Eriksson might be able to be taken significantly further.

But there do not seem to have been any developments in that respect.

It's six weeks tomorrow since Harford and the club parted company. The former Rovers boss, incidentally, is currently doing some coaching work with Swindon Town, managed by close friend Steve McMahon.

It is, apparently, purely a temporary arrangement.

McMahon appointed former Bury boss Mike Walsh as his assistant earlier this season and there is no suggestion of Harford joining the staff.

When he left Ewood, Harford stressed that he would be aiming to get back into the game as a manager.

Former Rovers striker Mike Newell is attracting interest from Bolton Wanderers, who are still looking to bolster their promotion-chasing squad.

Newell asked for a transfer at Birmingham earlier this season, as he had failed to settle following his summer move from Ewood.

Part of the problem was travelling from his Merseyside home and he has done some training at Brockhall in the meantime.

Bolton boss Colin Todd has confirmed his interest but a deal has not yet been agreed between the clubs. Birmingham's asking price of £700,000 could be prohibitive.

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