BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is keeping an eye on unsettled Leeds star Michael Duberry as he looks to strengthen his squad in preparation for a tilt at the UEFA Cup next term.

Duberry is ready to relaunch his career this summer after accepting his days at United look numbered.

And Souness is one of a posse of managers who are watching the situation with interest.

Duberry has been a bit-part player at Elland Road since his £5million move from Chelsea in the summer of 1999, with the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Dominic Matteo, Jonathan Woodgate and Lucas Radebe all barring his path to the first team at various stages during the past three years.

And, with manager David O'Leary under orders to trim the squad by a net of four players during the close season to ease the club's considerable debt, he now looks set to become the first senior name to leave.

Souness has already enquired about the 26-year-old's availability since the season finished as he looks to bolster his defensive resources.

But Celtic, Bolton and Everton are also in the hunt for Duberry, who is unlikely to leave United for anything less than the figure the club paid three years ago.

The former Chelsea star, who made only a handful of appearances last season, is coming to terms with the fact he is never likely to be at the forefront of O'Leary's plans.

And he has now accepted he needs a move for the sake of his career.

"It has not been a good season for me personally because I have not played enough games," said Duberry.

"I couldn't complain at the start of the season because the form of the team was good, but when they were not doing well I felt I could have forced my way in.

"It's no secret that I want to play first-team football. Reserve team football at the age of 26 is not what I want.

"I get on with it and I would never moan about it, but I want to play on a Saturday afternoon in front of a capacity 30,000 crowd showing them what I am made of.

"It would give me a huge boost if someone wanted to buy me. I will be 27 next season and I have to think of what is right for Michael Duberry."