ANY hopes that Blackburn Rovers might be able to set up a transfer swoop for Middlesbrough's England star Nick Barmby look slim.

The forward has again been linked in speculation with a possible move to Ewood to join up with his international team-mate Alan Shearer.

But, as we revealed well over a week ago, Boro remain defiant that Barmby isn't going anywhere, despite their own massive spending.

There is no doubt that Rovers would be interested in Barmby, should he become available.

But so too would Newcastle, with Kevin Keegan likely to see him as a long-term replacement for Peter Beardsley.

The fact that Boro have been spending so freely has prompted speculation that they might need to recoup some of their cash.

They have splashed £7 million - plus a few million more in wages - on Fabrizio Ravanelli from Italy this summer and have a trio of costly Brazilians in Branco, Emerson and Juninho to go with their domestic signings.

But, in manager Bryan Robson's absence, his assistant Viv Anderson has clamped down on all the speculation.

"Nicky Barmby is the last player we would want to sell," he said.

"I can categorically deny that he will be leaving here."

Anderson also made it clear that there had not been any official bids lodged for the player.

Sources close to the club said they expected Barmby to be a Boro player when the season starts next month.

They felt it most unlikely he would quit Teesside after only a year.

The Official Away Travel Club are taking bookings for the first two pre-season friendlies, at Colchester and Cambridge on August 3 and 5 respectively.

Rovers should also receive their allocation of tickets for the friendly against Preston at Deepdale (Aug 12) later this month.

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