CHELSEA have knocked back a bid by Blackburn Rovers to sign striker Mark Hughes, writes PETER WHITE.

Rovers boss Ray Harford has been spearheading a Europe-wide search for reinforcements by the Ewood staff, with a striker as top priority.

And I can reveal that Rovers have made at least one official approach to Chelsea for former Manchester United striker Hughes.

But the London club were apparently unwilling even to consider a bid for the Welsh international.

Rovers will have seen 32-year-old Hughes as an ideal short-term answer to their problems.

Big, strong and capable of holding the ball up, his vast experience would have been a useful asset as they attempt to climb out of serious trouble at the foot of the Premiership table.

But Chelsea's reluctance to part with him seems to have signalled a rapid end to any Ewood interest. It would have been an intriguing capture if Rovers had managed to pull it off. And they could certainly do with a couple of battle-hardened campaigners to help them in what is turning into an increasingly desperate scrap for points to climb off the bottom.

Harford's striking resources have been severely hit by injuries in recent weeks, leading to the debut, against Arsenal last Saturday, of 18-year-old James Beattie.

The manager has made numerous inquiries at home and abroad, notably for Jurgen Klinsmann and Udinese's German international Oliver Bierhoff - a potential deal he has not yet written off completely.

At this relatively early stage of the season, clubs are understandably reluctant to sell. Though that might change in the coming weeks, when they begin to re-assess their position and own needs.

Meanwhile, Rovers' injured strikers Kevin Gallacher and Graham Fenton publicly rallied to Harford's cause after our exclusive story last night that the board were backing the under-fire manager. Gallacher said: "It is up to the players to show unity and we are very much behind Ray.

"I think I speak on behalf of everyone and it must be terrible for him with all that's being said and written right now.

"The responsibility must be shared by everyone, although the manager knows that he carries the can when things go wrong.

"We need to continue pulling together in search of that first win."

Fenton said: "We are behind Ray 100 per cent. The players have been responsible for making wrong decisions out on the pitch this season and it's unfair that everything should fall on one man."

Graeme Le Saux managed 90 minutes in a mixed Rovers side which beat Tranmere 2-0 in a private practice match at Brockhall yesterday.

But Saturday's game against Sheffield Wednesday is still likely to be a little early for him to make a fully-fledged return to the side. A place in the squad - maybe even among the five substitutes - is a possibility, but it would be a major surprise if he was in the starting line-up.

Nevertheless, his obvious progress is an encouraging sign.

Rovers new secretary Tom Finn has now started work at Ewood.

A very experienced administrator, formerly with Oldham, West Ham and Wolves, Mr Finn has been impressed with the set-up.

"I enjoyed my time with all my previous clubs but it's good to be back in the North West and the Premier League," he said.

Shay Given is one of three men nominated for the Republic of Ireland International Player of the Year award.

The choice will be announced at a banquet in Dublin on November 10, after the World Cup tie with Iceland and the 20-year-old Ewood keeper is competing with Denis Irwin and Alan McLoughlin.

He is also in the running for the under-23 Player of the Year.

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