BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has been told by the board that his plan to lure Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke to Ewood Park does not hinge on the sale of Ciccio Grabbi.

Ewood chief Souness has already admitted in an exclusive interview with the Evening Telegraph that he would love to add Trinidad and Tobago international Yorke to his squad ahead of the new campaign.

But, even though the Rovers boss is aware of the need to balance the books by moving on some of his fringe players this summer, it's still possible that Blackburn fans could see Yorke and Grabbi playing in the same team next season -- if Souness decides to make a concrete offer for the 30-year-old striker.

"There are no implications for Graeme in terms of the money available for transfers following Ciccio's return to the club," said chief executive John Williams today.

"Graeme has identified a couple of targets that he wants to sign and we are working to get the players he wants.

"We do not have to sell Ciccio Grabbi to fund a move for another player.

"When Graeme brought Ciccio here last summer he was regarded as an up-and-coming young striker and, hopefully, he will prove himself again this summer."

Souness first admitted he would like to bring Yorke to Ewood in an interview with the Evening Telegraph at the start of the summer.

However, the Rovers boss will only do a deal if the price is right and that means United must drop their £6 million asking price, particularly given the player's age and the fact he could move on for free at the end of next season when his existing contract runs out.

"I would like to bring Dwight Yorke here," admitted Souness.

"If we could afford to do the deal then I'd like to bring him here.

"But right now the asking price is beyond our valuation given that he's entering the last year of his contract."

However, even though Souness has identified the recruitment of a new striker as a top priority he has far from given up on Grabbi, either.

Souness hopes his recent loan spell in Italy will have boosted the player's confidence and he is ready to give him a second chance when he returns for pre-season training next week.