TRANMERE boss John Aldridge is set to make a complaint to the Football Association after Blackburn Rovers snapped up one of the Wirral club's most prized young talents.

But Academy director Bobby Downes today denied that Rovers had done anything wrong and stressed that their capture of 16-year-old central defender Michael Taylor had been done by the book. Taylor was not under contract at Prenton Park, though he had been involved in talks with Aldridge about a possible deal.

He is very highly rated and, last season, became the youngest player ever to turn out for Tranmere Reserves.

Rovers' First Division rivals are understood to be very upset at losing the youngster.

Aldridge said that if there was any question of an illegal approach - something vehemently denied by Downes - they would be looking for cash to compensate them for the loss.

"Obviously, if anything like that ever happened, we would seek compensation," said the Tranmere boss.

"All I would say is that we offered a very good contract to Michael.

"It disappoints me after my discussions with him and his family, because no club in the country could have looked after him as well as Tranmere."

Downes was quite explicit, saying only: "We have not made an illegal approach for the lad."

It is understood that several big clubs had also been keeping tabs on Taylor and his situation at Tranmere.

Meanwhile, Swansea City are believed to be looking at young Ewood striker James Thomas as a potential transfer target.

Thomas was born in Swansea and Vetch boss John Hollins has admitted he is in the market to add a striker to his squad after last season-s promotion near-miss.

Although he has not played any competitive football at first team level for Rovers, Thomas has made a number of appearances for the Wales under-21 side. And the 20-year-old striker showed a lot of potential at youth and reserve team level before injuries hit him for much of last season.

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