Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness today said Barry Ferguson is unlikely to play again this season.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been sidelined for the last four months with a serious knee injury.

And now the club's medical staff are debating whether to send the former Rangers star back into hospital to have the wires which are holding his knee together removed.

"Fergie's unlikely to play again this season," said Souness. "When he had the original operation they inserted some wires into his knee and they've been causing him a bit of discomfort, so our medical staff are currently deciding if he needs to go back in."

Ferguson dislocated his kneecap during Rovers' 1-0 win at Newcastle on December 28 and he hasn't kicked a ball in anger since.

It was hoped that he would return to first team action before the end of the season and the club were happy with the progress he was making in his recovery.

However, Souness has said all along that he'd prefer to delay Ferguson's comeback until the start of next season if Rovers could secure their Premiership status without him.

That has now been virtually achieved following the club's 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday.

With three games remaining, Rovers effectively need one more point to be sure of safety, given their goal difference is vastly superior to Leeds United's.

And considering Ferguson is still experiencing some discomfort, the feeling is it would be foolish to rush him back at this stage.

In the meantime, Souness has expressed his delight at Jonathon Douglas's call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.

The 22-year-old midfielder joined up with the rest of the squad yesterday after he was drafted in as a late replacement for Damien Duff.

And he could win his first senior cap in Poland tomorrow where the Republic have a friendly.

"Jon has done well in our team considering he's not playing in his best position," said Souness.

"You always know what you're going to get from him. He always gives you everything he's got."

Elsewhere, Blackburn Rovers reserves complete their league fixtures with a game at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium tonight (kick-off 7pm).