BLACKBURN Rovers will not become involved in a transfer tug-of-war with Manchester United for Ajax striker Patrick Kluivert.

United boss Alex Ferguson was reported to be trying to prise the 21-year-old Dutch international away from Amsterdam, with Rovers also said to be in the hunt.

But Ewood sources scotched any suggestions of a potential Dutch treat in the wake of Alan Shearer's £15 million departure.

AC Milan have been showing interest in Kluivert for some time but United now seem to have decided he is another option following their failure to land Shearer.

Rovers, who beat United to Shearer four years ago when he was at Southampton, won't stand in their way this time even though money is no problem.

Rather than splash something like £8-10 million on a player like Kluivert, I believe Rovers boss Ray Harford will pin his faith in Ewood's forgotten man Chris Sutton when the pre-season build-up starts in earnest at the weekend.

The £5 million striker's eight-month nightmare is about to end and he could be ready to fulfil the potential that persuaded Rovers to pay what was a British record transfer fee at the time.

Sutton's first season saw the formation of the SAS with Shearer and the championship success.

But an ankle tendon injury last December on a treacherous surface at Highfield Road virtually ended Sutton's season.

He played just one reserve game and made a brief appearance as a substitute at Tottenham in March before breaking down again.

But the player has grafted throughout the summer and impressed everyone with his return to training.

He looks fit, sharp and eager to prove he is still what Rovers believed they had bought - one of the top strikers in the country.

It's difficult to think who the club could buy to fill Alan Shearer's shoes, so Rovers may have to adopt a different approach and forge a new spearhead. And Sutton will have a key role to play.

Others too will be pressing for a chance. Kevin Gallacher, Graham Fenton and Niklas Gudmundsson will see an opening and Paul Warhurst could well step up his claims for a strike berth, rather than the midfield spot originally envisaged.

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