Eriksson at Blackburn

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Swedish coach of Sampdoria, has made a secret trip to Blackburn Rovers and is ready to take the manager's job in the next week, writes Alan Nixon.

Eriksson was shown around Ewood Park by the Blackburn chairman, Robert Coar, on Monday afternoon. He was also given a guided tour of the club's training ground on a trip organised by Jack Walker to prove to him that Rovers mean business.

Blackburn think they have sold their ambitious club to the highly rated coach and have offered him a pounds 500,000-a-year salary and pounds 20m to spend. Eriksson will now try to accelerate his departure from Sampdoria, where he still has six months of his contract to serve. However, Blackburn insiders believe that the Swede may even be in charge as early as next Monday. Rovers want him to join them soon as they are aware that Lazio and Ajax are also interested in him.

Blackburn's caretaker manager, Tony Parkes, who does not want the job on a permanent basis, has been kept informed of developments and is likely to stay in a leading post.