SPANISH giants Las Palmas are interested in prising Egil Ostenstad away from Ewood Park.

The injury-hit outfit, currently 11th in La Liga, want the Norwegian striker on loan to provide immediate fire-power having only scored 20 goals in 16 games.

But Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness may not be willing to reduce his own options up front at such a crucial stage of the season.

Ostenstad was initially deemed surplus to requirements at Ewood Park.

However, after providing valuable goals as injury cover, he has featured regularly as a substitute.

And, with Nathan Blake still out injured and James Thomas and Ben Burgess on loan, Souness will not willingly further deplete resources.

Chief executive John Williams said: "There has been contact through a third party.

"But there is no deal on the table at the moment.

"We are in a very difficult position at the moment. Clearly we have still got a very big squad, which throws up a big wage bill and losses.

"So we look to reduce those when opportunities come along.

"But we know where we stand, as Jack Walker said 'Let's give promotion to the Premiership a second go'.

"And we are fourth at the moment and have a great chance of going up.

"So it's the very time when Jack's resources give us that cushion.

"We won't be selling anyone or letting them out on loan without very careful consideration.

"The board will go to Graeme and ask 'Is this a deal you want to do?'"

Ostenstad has a good chance of featuring in Saturday's FA Cup third round clash with Chester at Ewood as Souness looks to rest a number of his squad. The manager said: "Some players have played in every game over the holiday period and there are two or three that I will be looking to rest.

"But that's not being disrespectful to Chester."

Brad Friedel is likely to have recovered from the double vision sustained against Birmingham to resume his place in goal.

Meanwhile, Keith Gillespie has returned from an unsuccessful loan spell with Wigan.

The Northern Ireland winger was unable to claim a regular starting place under Bruce Rioch and is now back in training at Brockhall.

Souness said: "There had been talk of them taking him permanently, so it is a bit disappointing that we have not heard anything from Wigan.

"That is not very polite of them.

"Normally we would get a phone call to say how he has gone on and 'Thanks or no thanks'."

And interest from West Ham appears to be cooling on Christian Dailly.

Williams added: "We have heard nothing from West Ham and so have to deduce that a deal is getting less likely."

Rovers have ruled out a link with Nantes striker Alioune Toure.