Paul Ince will be sacked if Blackburn lose at Wigan

Paul Ince was last night granted a stay of execution by Blackburn - but he will be sacked if Rovers lose at Wigan on Saturday.

Chairman John Williams managed to hold off calls from directors and trustees to axe Ince at yesterday's board meeting, arguing that he deserves one last chance.

Williams claims Blackburn need nine wins to avoid the financial nightmare of relegation and the pressure is on Ince to chalk up the first of these at the JJB Stadium.

Rovers are already thinking about a successor with Graeme Souness and Sam Allardyce being considered. "Nine wins is our priority and we need to get them as soon as we can," said Williams. "We have 22 games left and the sooner we start picking up the wins the better. The longer we go, the more difficult it becomes.

"The players and the manager believe our fortunes will change once we get that first win, but we need that win quickly."

Williams has been Ince's staunchest ally during their 10 league games without a win.

Ince was his choice to replace Mark Hughes. Yet he accepts he will have to act if they lose again as relegation would wipe millions off the club's value.

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