BLACKBURN Rovers look set to sell skipper Tim Sherwood to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of around £4 million.

And, at the same time, Jason McAteer could be heading to Ewood from Liverpool as the two clubs have agreed a similar fee.

But the move will depend on McAteer's view and whether he is prepared to quit Anfield.

I understand the decision to sell Sherwood has been taken after talks last night failed to bring the long-running episode to a satisfactory conclusion.

Chief executive John Williams refused to comment on the Tottenham link and would only say: "We had a long discussion last night but Tim was not able to sign the terms we offered."

Spurs, who visit Ewood on Saturday when Sherwood is suspended, have long had an interest in the player and, following the failure of last night's talks to bring about a satisfactory conclusion, are expected to move in.

Even though the Rovers skipper is still under contract, all the indications are that he will now be leaving as both parties have intimated that they wanted a solution to the wrangle "one way or the other".

I believe there was not too much difference between the money wanted by Sherwood and the terms offered by the club. But they have failed to bridge the gap and a sale seems inevtiable, even though Sherwood has repeatedly said he would prefer to stay at Ewood.

Norwich will be delighted as they will pick up 30 per cent of any transfer profit from the clause agreed at the time of his move from Carrow Road.

Sherwood, who will be 30 next week, was signed from Norwich for £500,000 in February 1992.

He did not figure prominently in the promotion push but has been a key figure ever since Rovers moved up into the top flight and, while the managers have changed, he has remained captain.

Sherwood has played in nearly 250 League games for the club and, apart from Jason Wilcox, is Rovers' longest-serving player.

Meanwhile, Rovers must now persuade McAteer to join them and they failed to do that once before - when he left Bolton for Anfield.

Williams confirmed a transfer fee had been agreed but Rovers still have a lot of talking to do, especially if they are to wrap up a deal for the 27-year-old in time for Saturday.

The chief executive also revealed that there were other transfer targets being lined up.

Rovers' new youth team appears at Ewood for the first time this season with a fourth round FA Youth Cup tie against Sheffield United (kick-off 7pm). After reaching the final of the competition last season, Rovers are hoping for another extended run but they expect tough opposition tonight.

"I have seen Sheffield and they are a strong side, they will certainly compete," said coach Rob Kelly.

In the third round, when they made their bow in this season's tournament, Rovers won at Norwich.

They will have a full-strength squad available tonight, apart from long-term injury victim Fred Murray who is recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

They will choose from: Michael Bingham, Richard Dunning, Jonathan Douglas, Darren Dunning, Peter Murphy, Stuart Howson, Ryan Baldacchino, Steve Hawe, Ben Burgess, Gary Hamilton, Paul Forsyth, Ben Chamberlain, Steve Flitcroft, Lee Hardy, Steve Foster, Matt Hind.

The Premiership game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which was scheduled for FA Cup fifth round weekend, has now been re-arranged for Wednesday, February 17 (kick-off 7.45pm).

As a result of the new date, the Supporters' Association event with Ewood's international keepers has been postponed. Tickets will remain valid or refunds can be obtained.

Rovers' two former Newcastle players, Darren Peacock and Keith Gillespie, could be back at St James's Park tonight. They were among the players invited by Peter Beardsley to make up a squad for his testimonial match against Celtic.

Damien Johnson, injured at the moment, is included in the Northern Ireland B squad to meet Wales B at Wrexham on February 9.

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