GRAEME Souness today insisted Dwight Yorke still has a future at Ewood -- despite media speculation claiming the Rovers chief wants to off-load him.

Recent stories emanating from the national Press tried to suggest that Souness was lining up a swap deal involving Yorke and Aston Villa defender Alpay.

However, the Rovers boss has cleared up the confusion by admitting he still retains an interest in the Turkish international but has no intention of using Yorke as possible bait in any deal.

Souness and Yorke clashed on a number of occasions last term following the striker's cut-price move from Manchester United.

But the Rovers boss maintains he was still satisfied with the 31-year-old's overall contribution, although he has warned the Trinidad and Tobago international he will be demanding even more from him in the future.

"Dwight did well for us last season but I'll be expecting even more from him next season because I think there's still more to come," said Souness.

"He had a good first season in my opinion but I'll be demanding even more from him from now on.

"As for me wanting to sell him, my intention is not to use him in any swap deal for Alpay.

"As I've said before, Alpay is a player that interests us but some people have put two and two together and come up with five."

Big things were expected of Yorke when he first arrived at Ewood following a £1.5 million move from Manchester United.

During his time at Old Trafford, his partnership with Andy Cole was widely regarded as one of the most deadly in Europe.

But it took time for the former United team-mates to rekindle some of that old magic at Ewood.

A succession of injuries prevented the pair from striking up an understanding.

Then when Yorke finally got himself fit, he was involved in a number of spats with Souness after the player became angered at being repeatedly substituted.

Nevertheless, he still managed to score 13 goals in a total of 33 starts.

Souness remains interested in Alpay and would like to partner him with Lorenzo Amoruso at the heart of a new-look defence next season.

However, financial constraints could scupper any prospect of a deal.