GRAEME Souness might have given the players a welcome break from training this week but rest and recuperation was the last thing on the manager's mind.

While his players were recharging their batteries following a hectic Christmas programme, Souey was scouring Europe for further talent to bolster his promotion chasing squad.

But no new signings appear imminent just yet because the target in question was not up to scratch.

"I went abroad to watch a game after a player had been recommended to me," said Souness.

"But he wasn't what we were looking for so that's not going to happen."

Meanwhile, remember Argentinian centre back Julian Maidana who spent a week on trial with Rovers before Christmas?

Well, the 28-year-old, who was skipper of Talleres De Cordoba, has now signed for Everton after Souness had recommended him to Walter Smith.

Maidana also had trials with Manchester City but, presumably, Joe Royle thought the City defence was already good enough!!

EWOOD exile Simon Grayson finally got the chance of some first team action last week when he made his debut for Stockport at Huddersfield.

And the former Leicester full-back clearly hasn't lost his sense of humour despite spending most of the season on the outside looking in at Rovers.

Asked if he enjoyed being back on weekend duty, the 31-year-old defender replied with a smile: "There's only so much shopping and golf you can play on a Saturday afternoon!"

Dunny's cap IT was good to see David Dunn throwing his weight behind Accrington Stanley's bid to help Bury out of a financial hole earlier this week.

The England Under 21 skipper is a regular supporter of non-League football in East Lancashire and can often be spotted at Stanley or Great Harwood.

But I have to say one of my female colleagues described his choice of headgear as a fashion disaster.

Anyone who remembers Normski from TV will know where she's coming from!

THE answer to last week's teaser 'Who scored the goals when Rovers beat Sheffield Wednesday 7-2 in 1997/98' was Kevin Gallacher (2), Chris Sutton (2), Jason Wilcox, Lars Bohinen and a Graham Hyde own goal.

This week's question is: Rovers paid Odense £2.5 million for Danish international Per Pedersen in February 1997. But who did they then sell him to for £750,000 16 months later?