COLIN Hendry, Chris Sutton and Kevin Gallacher (pictured) look set to give Blackburn Rovers' caretaker-manager Tony Parkes a three-way lift for Sunday's Premiership game against title favourites Liverpool at Ewood.

Hendry, who had groin surgery a month ago, was given a thorough test yesterday at Brockhall and came through.

Providing there was no reaction, he was expected to join the rest of the senior squad for training today to put himself in contention for a recall.

And, if he does make it, Hendry can enjoy a double celebration.

For he was named yesterday in the Scotland squad to take on Sweden in a crucial World Cup qualifying match on Sunday week.

National coach Craig Brown said he was willing to take a gamble on Hendry and to wait and see what the next few days bring. Obviously, if he plays against Liverpool without any ill effects, the defender can be expected to earn an international recall.

Kevin Gallacher and Billy McKinlay have also been named, with Gallacher one of several players who has been suffering from a "bug" over the past week or so.

Brown has kept faith with McKinlay and several other players, even though they have not been playing regular first team football.

The Scottish boss said: "This is a worry for me and clearly I would far rather these guys were all getting a regular first team game. But Billy McKinlay and Scot Gemmill have got back into the side at their clubs and that is good news for us."

Away from the international scene, Parkes will be glad to have Sutton back to lead the attack, even though Graham Fenton did a good job at West Ham last Saturday.

They need someone with Sutton's presence in attack, especially against a side of the stature of Liverpool who are being tipped in many quarters to go all the way in the title race this season. Last night they reached the quarter finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup and have lost just one game in all competitions, a rather unlucky 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

Parkes will probably change from the 4-5-1 formation he employed at Upton Park, and which so nearly earned that elusive first win, as he tries to break the duck.

"The squad certainly looks stronger with these players back," said Parkes, hoping to recapture the success of his previous spells in charge of the team.

"It gives us a lot more options."

A few players have been suffering from the virus which laid Gallacher low last weekend.

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