PAUL Warhurst has rejected new terms with Blackburn Rovers and could be on his way out of Ewood Park.

The utility player, whose present contract expires at the end of next month, is now free to talk to other clubs about a move.

But Rovers, who retain his registration by offering him a new deal, can still demand a transfer fee - unless Warhurst decides to move abroad. In that case, the Bosman ruling would mean he could go on a free transfer and Rovers would be powerless to do anything about it.

Having paid Sheffield Wednesday almost £2.7 million for the versatile Warhurst nearly four years ago, Rovers will be keen to recoup a substantial part of their outlay.

But they might have to settle for a good deal less than they invested in a player whose Ewood career has been dogged by injury - notably two broken legs.

Several clubs have shown interest in Warhurst over recent months, including newly-promoted Bolton Wanderers.

West Ham are another Premiership club to have asked about him, while First Division sides Birmingham and Manchester City have been in the frame.

Birmingham boss Trevor Francis was keen to link up again with a player he knew from their Sheffield Wednesday days together.

But Francis wanted him on loan initially before making his mind up about trying to sort out a permanent transfer.

That was while Warhurst was under contract.

His situation changes this summer and clubs could revive their interest if they feel they might be able to sign him at a cut-price fee by taking a chance and going to a tribunal. Warhurst is one of only two seniors out of contract this summer and, while his position remains unresolved for the moment, that of goalkeeper Shay Given is much clearer.

He is set to sign for Newcastle when clubs report back for training at the beginning of July.

A tribunal, however, could well be needed to set the fee.

Meanwhile, Billy McKinlay escaped with a £750 fine and no further suspension when he appeared before a Football Association disciplinary panel in London yesterday.

The Scottish midfielder was carpeted after reaching 45 disciplinary points, through a host of bookings, last season.

He was, in fact, the first Premiership player to reach the total that triggers an automatic appearance before the FA. Tony Parkes travelled with the player to help present the case for the defence and he said: "We got a fair hearing and I believe the outcome was right."

"Virtually all Billy's bookings have been for mis-timed tackles, he hasn't been going round elbowing anyone or doing things like that. He was pleased not to pick up another suspension, because no-one wants to be missing games when a new manager is coming in."

Rovers already know they will have one absentee when the new season starts - skipper Tim Sherwood having collected a three-match ban for being sent off towards the end of last season.

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