BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has resurrected his interest in Norwegian international Martin Andresen.

The Stabaek midfielder flew into England last night and, despite passing a rigorous medical, has yet to agree personal terms.

Souness is keen to ensure that he has every base covered before the transfer deadline passes on Monday.

His main priority is a striker and there's still a chance that Rovers could do a deal to sign Huddersfield Town striker Jonathan Stead, even though the Terriers rejected the Premiership club's latest offer yesterday.

However, Souness is also worried about the possibility of being left without any experienced cover in the centre of midfield if either Garry Flitcroft or Tugay was to pick up an injury between now and May.

That has prompted the Rovers boss to revive his interest in Andresen, who spent a week on trial at Brockhall earlier this month.

The club are hoping to strike a loan deal which would see the former Wimbledon player stay until the end of the current campaign.

"The clubs have agreed and now it is up to me to agree on a personal contract." said Andresen. "So far, we have not managed to find a solution."

Meanwhile, Rovers' attempts to land Stead could hinge on Martin Taylor.

The former England Under 21 international has asked for 24 hours to decide whether he wants to complete a £1.5million move to Birmingham City.

The two clubs have agreed a fee and Taylor held talks with Birmingham boss Steve Bruce yesterday.

However, the player left the club's Wast Hills training ground last night and headed back north with his future still undecided.

Bruce said: "Martin has passed a medical but he has asked for a bit of time to think things over, which is his prerogative."

Bruce is keen to bring in Taylor before the transfer window closes on Monday as he would provide cover in several positions at the back.

If Taylor decided not to go then it would seriously affect Rovers' ability to up the ante for Stead.

The Terriers have now rejected two separate offers for their leading scorer in the last 36 hours -- the latest thought to be around the £1 million mark including add-ons.

And Town chief, Peter Jackson, seems determined to hang on to his star attraction.

"I am delighted we have been able to turn down the bid.

"No-one could have envisaged a club in administration six months ago turning down this bid.

"I am grateful to (owner) Ken Davy for that."

In the meantime, Rovers have also ruled out the possibility of Alan Mahon joining Wigan before the deadline.

John Williams, Rovers' chief executive, said: "We've assessed the number of players we have here and we've decided that it's in the club's best interests to keep Alan here for the time being."

Meanwhile, Chelsea's new £10million signing Scott Parker has hit back at Alan Curbishley's criticism and insisted leaving the club he had been at since the age of 11 was his only option to further his career.

Former Charlton midfielder Parker was unveiled at a Stamford Bridge press conference yesterday afternoon after signing a four-and-a-half-year deal at Roman Abramovich's club.

The 23-year-old's departure has been dogged by acrimony, with Addicks boss Curbishley slamming his attitude in training since the Blues made the first of three bids for him this month.

The England international, gunning for a place at Euro 2004, admitted he was stung by the harsh words of his mentor - but revealed he felt he could not have improved as a player had he stayed at The Valley.

Parker, poised to make his Chelsea debut at Blackburn tomorrow, said: "What Alan said wasn't really fair. I wouldn't say I liked what he said and it hurt.

"I've read what's been written about me and heard what's been said. I've heard disloyalty being mentioned and I can understand that.

"It all looks so bad on me but, rather than all the negative stuff, I hope the fans can see what I gave to Charlton

"I'd been there for 12 years and gave everything in every game since I got in the team four years ago.

"But no matter what people at Charlton are saying about me, I respect everyone there.

"What I will say is that, however, when I signed a five-year contract at Charlton, I was promised by the chairman that they'd tell me if a top-three club came in for me."

That thorny subject had been a bone of contention between Parker, Curbishley and chairman Martin Simons as the transfer saga dragged on.

Parker, who signed his new five-year deal in the summer just as Chelsea were making their first of four approaches for him, emphasised he had gone as far as he could at The Valley.

"The main thing was I'd played for Charlton for four years and progressed and progressed - but didn't know how much more I could progress," he said.

"I didn't know how much better I could become as a player there.

"I gave 100% every time I ran out so I didn't know what more I could give.

"I realise I won't play as much here but I'll be training with world-class players day-in, day-out and that can only make me a better player.

"That's honestly what I think. I gave it my all at Charlton and didn't know where I could go any more. I wanted a new challenge and now I have one."

Parker, who maintained a dignified silence through his transfer rumpus in stark contrast to Louis Saha during his £12.8million move from Fulham to Manchester United, admitted to lure of European action was impossible to resist.

Chelsea face VFB Stuttgart in the knockout stage of the Champions League next month and Parker added: "The Champions League is very important to me.