BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has been thwarted in his attempts to land Leicester City midfielder Muzzy Izzet.

City manager Micky Adams labelled Rovers' bid as 'derogatory' last night as he desperately tried to hang on to his star player.

And the Foxes formally rejected a written offer yesterday, even though that may mean they end up losing the player for nothing at the end of the season.

Izzet's current contract with City is due to run out in the summer and unless he signs another, he would then be free to walk out on the club.

It remains to be seen whether Rovers will up their bid for the Turkish international, but both they and Aston Villa have already tested the water by enquiring about taking him now.

But the Foxes may decide to gamble on Izzet keeping them up rather than cashing in on his remaining transfer value.

"We made a written offer to Leicester but it was refused," said Rovers' chief executive John Williams.

"When you look at what the likes of Lee Bowyer and Michael Brown have moved for in similar circumstances, we feel as though we've made a fair and proper offer."

Rovers are believed to have offered around £500,000 for the 29-year-old but Adams insists he is far more valuable to his side's survival fight than that.

"Muzzy is happy here and as I've said so many times before, it would have to be a realistic offer," he said.

"Where would I go to replace him? I wouldn't know where to start.

"I'm not under pressure to sell and the final decision will be mine.

"Muzzy will only go if he looks me in the eye and says he wants to go. Even then, the money would also have to be right."

Rovers are also waiting to hear an answer from Aston Villa about their bid to land keeper Peter Enckelman, who has spent the last two months on loan at Ewood.

In the meantime, Barry Ferguson could be back in action before the end of the season.

Specialists have told the Scotland international that he could be playing again in three months' time after hailing the operation to repair his broken knee cap a major success.

But Souness has said that he will only rush the former Rangers star back if Rovers are still in a dog-fight in the final month of the season.

"According to the surgeon, everything went as well as it possibly could," said Souness.

"There hasn't been any great damage to his patella tendon so it was a fairly straight-forward operation.

"They are talking about him coming back and being in full training in three months' time.

"If we were going well and sitting in a nice position then I wouldn't play him again this year.

"If we find ourselves struggling and needing the points then it's going to be all hands to the pumps.

"That's how I see it at this moment in time.

"Barry is a young man, he's never had any injury of any serious kind before, and he's determined to be back before the three months.

"But he has cracked his knee cap, it sounds awful to me and it is awful, so we'll see how he is in a couple of months' time."

Meanwhile, Souness has not ruled out the possibility of selling Dwight Yorke during the transfer window if a suitable offer came in.

Wolves have been linked with a bid for the striker although their manager Dave Jones was quick to dismiss that speculation yesterday.

Nevertheless, Souness has said that every player has his price.

"I'm in the same situation as any manager," said the Rovers boss.

"If you think you can sell someone and get some money in to go out and strengthen then you would do it, whether that's Dwight or anyone else."

Souness has dismissed reports linking him with a move for Manchester City midfielder Eyal Berkovic.

But he has expressed an interest in Real Sociedad winger Javier De Pedro who could be available on a free.