RAY Harford's trail of the Spartak Moscow pair Ilia Tsimbalar and Yuri Nikiforov appears to have cooled.

The Rovers boss (pictured) travelled to Nantes on Wednesday to watch the players in the Champions' League quarter finals.

But it seems that there will be no imminent deal struck between the two clubs. Left-sided forward Tsimbalar was substituted at half-time, having only recently recovered from a knee operation.

And, although Nikiforov shone in a poor display by the Russian champions, I believe they are NOT now high on Harford's list of priorities.

The Russians may be reluctant to sell, having lost classy defender Victor Onopko to Real Oviedo as well as Sergei Yuran and Vasili Kulkov to Millwall since comfortably winning Rovers' Champions' League group.

Equally, Harford is likely to have other irons in the fire as the March 28 transfer deadline approaches.

Manchester City's Garry Flitcroft is a name which continues to crop up in speculation and the Ewood interest in QPR's Trevor Sinclair is well documented.

Meanwhile reports that Graeme Le Saux may be fit in time for England's Euro'96 campaign appear over-optimistic.

The left back, who suffered an horrendous broken leg against Middlesbrough, has made an encouraging start on the road to recovery.

Rovers chairman Rob Coar said: "He has got the mobility back but it is going to be quite a long process and one which will be carefully monitored and not rushed."

England boss Terry Venables added: "Grame sounds very positive. It seems he is making good progress and that is excellent news.

"Losing him was a real blow because he can fill a number of positions."

The home game against Wimbledon, postponed because of Wimbledon's FA Cup action this weekend, has been re-arranged for Wednesday, April 17 (kick-off 7.45pm).

The planned game between the Rovers youth side and the touring Moscow Soccer Academy at Brockhall tomorrow has been cancelled.

Rovers A are in action at Morecambe tonight.

The re-arranged reserve game against Tranmere on Monday night has been postponed.

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