ALAN Shearer could yet be lining up alongside Eric Cantona next season - but it will be in a Rovers' shirt rather than the red of Manchester United!

That was the sensational news from Rovers training headquarters, where Ewood number two Tony Parkes confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) that they have made a £4 million bid for the French star.

And Parkes was quick to quash any rumours that the bid could be the start of an amazing player-swap deal between the clubs' two prize assets.

"The only way Alan and Eric Cantona will be playing together is if Eric decides to come here," he said. "We have made a bid for Eric and we are waiting for a response from United.

"It is a serious offer and it confirms we want to bring the best players to Ewood Park. It is not tit-for-tat following United's bid for Alan Shearer."

But United's assistant secretary Ken Ramsden said of the bid: "It has come as a surprise but Eric Cantona is certainly not for sale. We are very happy with Eric here and it is well known that we like Alan Shearer too.

"We are looking to strengthen the squad and you don't do that by selling your best players."

That was a line used by Parkes on the news linking skipper Tim Sherwood - subject of the Ewood Park boo-boys last season - with a £3 million move to Arsenal.

In a week when Rovers' Brockhall base camp was buzzing with players returning to pre-season training, Parkes said: "Tim has been linked with a move away from Ewood for some time now but that is simply untrue.

"He is one of our most influential players and we are looking to build up our squad. You don't do that by selling your best players."

The assistant boss also confirmed that Ian Pearce's five month injury lay-off is on the verge of ending, after the 22-year-old centre back resumed light training this week.

"It has been a very hard time for him this past couple of months, but now he is training again.

He may not be ready for first team action by the start of the season but I imagine he will be ready for a reserve or A team run out."

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