DARIO Marcolin has returned to Lazio and Blackburn Rovers will not be taking up their option to buy the Italian midfielder for £900,000.

Marcolin would not have been able to play in Rovers' three remaining matches because of an injury problem.

And manager Brian Kidd has decided that, as Marcolin was not going to be part of his future plans at Ewood, he might as well return home early.

We revealed in March that Rovers would not pursue their interest in the man signed by Roy Hodgson on extended loan to cover for the loss of casualties like Garry Flitcroft.

He started five League and five cup games for the side and also made five sub appearances, scoring one goal.

Kidd said: "He injured a tendon in his foot and it was slow responding to treatment which meant he would not have played again this season."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.