BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness was hoping to tie up a deal for West Ham's Marc Keller today in time for Rovers' clash with Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow.

And, on a busy day of transfer activity at Ewood, out-of-favour defender Simon Grayson has also agreed to join Stockport County on a three month loan.

Souness has decided to press ahead with a move for former French international Keller regardless of whether or not Christian Dailly opts for West Ham.

And Rovers officials were hopeful of wrapping up a deal for the 32-year-old in time for today's noon deadline.

"We are still waiting to hear from Christian about whether or not he wants to go to West Ham or Leicester," said chief executive John Williams.

"But we are now trying to disentangle the Marc Keller situation and sort that out separately.

"He's a player Graeme is very keen on and we are trying to get him until the end of the season."

Keller would add a wealth of experience to Rovers' squad having previously played for Strasbourg and Karlsruhe, as well as the French national side.

And, with Garry Flitcroft still nursing a broken toe and David Dunn set to miss tomorrow's game through suspension, he would bolster Souness's midfield resources ahead of a crucial period in the season.

"I've asked him to get everything sorted out by 10 o'clock this morning so he can train with us," said Souness.

"He's a player with plenty of experience and he'll be a good addition to the squad."

Elsewhere, Stockport boss Andy Kilner has handed Grayson the chance to resurrect his career at Edgeley Park.

The 31-year-old full back has not started a League game for Rovers all season.

But now he has the chance to put himself in the shop window after agreeing to join County for the next three months.

"I'm just glad I've got the chance to start playing a few games again," said Grayson.

"Blackburn have made it clear to me that I'll never play for them again.

"So, when you're training all week and there's no game at the end of it, it makes life difficult.

"I've not even been training with the first team so sometimes there's only been seven or eight of us training which makes it difficult for the reserve team manager to put a session on.

"But now I've got the chance to get a dozen games or so under my belt.

"And it's a great chance for me to put myself in the shop window."

If Grayson was to make just one more appearance for Rovers then Aston Villa would be entitled to another £150,000 to £200,000 as part of the initial deal which brought him to Ewood.

Meanwhile, Souness has warned his troops to be on the guard against struggling Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls are currently locked in a battle for First Division survival but the Rovers boss is fearing a backlash.

"It's a tricky game for us, there's no doubt about it.

"Sheffield Wednesday are not up where they expected to be after coming down from the Premier League but they are capable of beating anyone on their day."

Rovers will be without both Mark Hughes and David Dunn through suspension.

And Jason McAteer is still absent from the squad due to a family bereavement.

Rovers are likely to choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Taylor, Berg, Flitcroft, Mahon, Duff, Hignett, Jansen, Bent, Ostenstad, Dunning, Kenna, Keller, Douglas, Filan.

Sheffield Wednesday will choose from: Pressman, Hendon, Walker, Blatsis, Haslam, Hamshaw, Harkness, Quinn, Morrison, Lescott, Ekoku, Westwood, Di Piedi, O'Donnell, Bromby, Crane, Stringer.