REPORTS resurfaced in Italy today that Sven Goran Eriksson wants to find a way out of his agreement to join Blackburn Rovers in July.

And the Rome-based Corriere dello Sport claimed Lazio chief Sergio Cragnotti had spoken to Ewood chairman Robert Coar about a plan to arrange for Bobby Robson to come to Blackburn and Eriksson to join them!

They even quoted the Swedish coach as saying: "I can free my contract with Blackburn. It is possible."

Mr Coar retorted: "I have never spoken to the man (Cragnotti) in my life."

Other Italian contacts claimed it was a similar scenario to when Eriksson left Italy on a previous occasion to rejoin Benfica. "He wanted to get his release from that contract after saying he would be leaving Italy," said one.

"But Benfica insisted he stood by the arrangement and he went there." Speculation over the Sampdoria boss's future has intensified, despite the official denials, made twice over the weekend by the Swede, that anything had changed regarding his Ewood appointment.

And Rovers remain steadfast that Eriksson, as far as they are concerned, will be taking charge at the end of the season.

In one of today's newspapers in Genoa, it is claimed that Eriksson no longer wants to go to the English fog!

Sources close to Sampdoria insisted today that no matter what was being said officially, the lure of Lazio - looking for a new boss - was proving too tempting.

Lazio are believed to want both Eriksson and striker Roberto Mancini.

It must be of concern to Rovers that doubts continue to be raised at the Italian end.

But Ewood chairman Robert Coar, in regular contact with Eriksson, said today: "What more can we do?

"We have a signed contract beginning in July and, as far as we are concerned, that is when Sven will be taking over. "He made an official statement last weekend and we have already been talking to him about what he wants to do about the pre-season programme when he comes here in summer."

Eriksson himself has described the newspaper speculation in Italy as "crazy".

"I haven't had contact with any other club," he said.

Sampdoria wouldn't be very happy if the Swede, whose contract expires at the end of the season, was to leave for their Serie A rivals Lazio.

And what value a signed deal if it can be broken?

Rovers can only hope the latest bout of speculation is a product of the Italian Press.

In that sense, we were told regarding the Corriere dello Sport story: "This newspaper is of Rome, the town of Lazio, and this news may be intended for Lazio's fans."

But contacts in Genoa remain convinced that there is more to it than that.

Rovers Reserves are away to Tranmere tonight (kick-off 7pm) and the squad is: Williams, Worrell, Croft, Morgan, Marker, Coughlan, Donis, Holmes, Warhurst, Gudmundsson, Duff, Reed, Gill, Thomas.

Ray Harford could be poised to take charge of West Bromwich Albion.

The former Rovers boss watched Albion play Birmingham last night but Hawthorns chairman Tony Hale refused to be drawn on speculation.

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