BLACKBURN Rovers have not invited ageing striker Christian Vieri to their pre-season training camp, contrary to reports in Italy.

The Gazzetta dello Sport had suggested that the experienced former Italian international, who will be 36 next month, was angling for a move to Rovers after being without a club since his release by Atalanta in April.

It was reported that Vieri was set to join Rovers on their pre-season trip to Austria in a bid to prove his fitness, having previously been linked with moves to Brazilian clubs Atletico Paranaense and Corinthians as well as South African side Ajax Cape Town.

But sources close to both Rovers and the player were yesterday insistent that there was no truth in the reports.

Names such as Vieri, who represented Italy on 49 occasions and also played for Juventus, Atletico Madrid and both of the Milan giants, are likely to be linked with Rovers on a regular basis now that Sam Allardyce is in charge.

The former Bolton boss is renowned for taking a chance on players with a pedigree but who may have fallen on hard times, having taken players such as Youri Djorkaeff, Ivan Campo and Mario Jardel to the Reebok.

Rovers have made a striker their top priority following the departures of Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbyshire.

It is understood that Andre-Pierre Gignac, Luis Garcia, Marcus Berg and Frederic Piquionne - all linked over the weekend - are not currently on the agenda.