TOP Italian clubs are believed to be monitoring Graeme Le Saux's troubled Ewood situation intently, with the possibility of an end-of-season bid, writes PETER WHITE.

And their interest could be heightened if Le Saux is axed from Blackburn Rovers' relegation-haunted side at Arsenal on Saturday - which must be a possibility.

European Cup Winners Cup semi-finalists Fiorentina are said by Italian contacts to be ready to lead the overseas interest in the unsettled England full back.

But Rovers, despite the obvious problems that could arise if they insist their stars honour contracts, are determined to stick to their guns.

Caretaker-boss Tony Parkes finds himself with a dilemma that is not of his own making and must be a huge disappointment to him.

His key left-sided players Le Saux and Jason Wilcox have been such an important part of the team in the past and he was delighted when both came back from long-term injury earlier this season.

But neither have shone recently and things came to a head against Manchester United on Saturday.

Wilcox found himself at the centre of controversy after gesturing to a section of Rovers supporters who had jeered him.

And Parkes had a showdown with Le Saux in the wake of his performance against the champions. "Yes, I spoke to him after the game," said Parkes.

"But it was no different to what has happened with other players in previous weeks.

"It wasn't a big deal in terms of what goes on in football. There are always arguments in dressing rooms when you have lost a game.

"There certainly isn't a lot of patting people on the back going on when you lose. That's the same at any club and for any manager throughout the game.

"The only disappointing thing is that it is usually kept within the dressing room."

Parkes, not surprisingly, wouldn't discuss his team plans for the weekend but if Le Saux was left out, he couldn't complain on recent performances.

The fans have been willing every member of the team to scrap for their lives to ensure the club stays in the Premiership.

And that is the very least they demand in the present circumstances.

It would also be ironic if Le Saux missed the Highbury encounter.

Arsenal have been at the centre of speculation for weeks that they want to pull off a multi-million pound transfer move for the Channel Islander.

Nothing official has been said, on either side, but Arsenal are expected to launch a number of major transfer market raids this summer - with Le Saux repeatedly mentioned as one of their top targets.

With crucial World Cup games coming up for England, Glenn Hoddle will also be watching the position very closely.

Meanwhile, Parkes was expected to speak to Wilcox today about the gesture storm which erupted during the second half of Saturday's match.

Although only temporarily in charge - albeit for a longer period than normal - Parkes has had to deal with all kinds of pressure situations. But he hasn't shied away from them.

"It's just a pity that we seem to get side-tracked away from the actual football by all of these things," he added.

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