ASHLEY Ward today quashed talk linking him with a possible move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Speculation in the tabloids over the weekend claimed Spurs boss George Graham is in the market for a target man and Ward is top of his list.

But the former Barnsley hit-man has reaffirmed his commitment to Rovers and wants to lead the club's promotion charge back to the Premiership.

"All I've heard is what people have been saying in the paper and things like that so I don't know any more than that about it," said Ward.

"But I'm at a great football club and we want to get back into the Premier League, the same as all the other clubs in this division.

"For us it's a must, though, and I want to help us get there."

Rovers would be loathe to lose Ward as he has been virtually an ever-present since his £4m move from Barnsley last season.

And they are unlikely to listen to any offers for any of their players anyway until a new manager is appointed.

Meanwhile, caretaker boss Tony Parkes believes a new manager will be appointed within the next fortnight.

Saturday's battling 0-0 at Port Vale was Rovers sixth game unbeaten since Parkes took over.

But the 50-year-old coach is certain it won't be long before he hands over the reins. "They've got plans and they must be talking to people behind the scenes and we'll leave that to them," said Parkes.

"But from my point of view I am sure there will be a new manager at this club in the next two weeks."

That suggests Parkes will remain in charge until after the cup tie with West Brom on Saturday as Rovers continue to explore every avenue in their search for a new boss. Charlton boss Alan Curbishley has leapt to the top of the list, following his comments last week which made it clear that he was interested in the job.

But, contrary to newspaper reports, Rovers deny that there has been any formal contact with his club.

The same applies for Norwich boss Bruce Rioch, who is also high on the short list.

Graeme Souness cannot be ruled out and Colin Todd has an outside chance, if more preferred options fall through.

However, a fifth candidate entered the frame towards the end of last week, although Rovers continue to receive enquiries from a number of hopefuls.

Terry Venables was touted in the national press but that is wide of the mark. And Ireland boss Mick McCarthy is not under consideration.

The club is trying to strike a balance between a degree of urgency while making sure that the right man is chosen.

Chief executive John Williams said: "We are currently looking at a timescale after the cup game.

"I don't think there is too much urgency because of the results the team are getting under Tony Parkes. The priority is to get the right man."

Parkes was pleased with the point from the trip to Vale Park at the weekend despite the fact that Brian Horton's men are struggling at the wrong end of the table. And he has praised his players for their efforts since he took charge as they prepare for tomorrow's game against Bolton at Ewood which is their sixth in 18 days.

"The players have been brilliant. A lot of them might have been a bit jaded on Saturday, but it's been a fantastic spell and we are still unbeaten so hopefully we can carry that record on a bit longer.

"I thought it was a scrappy game on Saturday.

"The conditions weren't very good, it was blowing a gale and the pitch was heavy. "But it was a battling performance and we are pleased with the result.

"You go to Charlton and it's top of the table stuff and then you go to Port Vale and it's a bit more of a battle.

"But Vale have gone six games undefeated and drawn against the likes of Huddersfield, Manchester City and Fulham so we can't talk about them as being a bad side."

Parkes has now taken 12 points from a possible 18 since stepping into the hot-seat. And if Rovers maintain that sort of form when a new manager comes in then Parkes believes the play-offs are well within their grasp.

"We would certainly make the play-offs with two points a game and we are on target for that. And if we get into the play-offs very quickly then we might look a little bit higher but at the moment I think we would be dreaming if we thought we could get a top two spot."

In the meantime he will concentrate on preparing his side for tomorrow's derby with Bolton. But he has a couple of injury problems with Christian Dailly struggling after picking up an ankle injury on Saturday.

Damien Duff, who missed the Port Vale game with a thigh strain, is rated at 70:30 for tomorrow.

And Parkes is hopeful that keeper John Filan, who has a neck problem, and Egil Ostenstad, dead leg, will be fit.

Meanwhile, Craig Short was due to undergo an operation on his groin today.

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