LEICESTER City are ready to swoop for Rovers defender Callum Davidson as Graeme Souness begins to streamline his Ewood Park squad.

Davidson effectively became surplus to requirements once Souness signed Liverpool left-back Stig Inge Bjornebye.

And Leicester manager Peter Taylor looks poised to make the Scottish international his second signing since replacing Martin O'Neill in the Filbert Street hot seat.

It's reported that Davidson would command a fee of around £3 million but it's likely that Rovers, who signed the 24-year-old for £1.75 million from St Johnstone in February, 1998, would accept less than that to part with a player who's no longer part of their plans.

Taylor said today: "I have agreed a fee with two clubs for two players and will open negotiations with the players today." The former England under-21 boss has also targetted Wolves striker Ade Akinbiyi and Sunderland utility man Darren Williams.

But Davidson looks to have climbed to the head of that list and is expected to jump at the chance of a move back up to the Premiership, which would also enhance his international prospects with a World Cup qualifying campaign on the horizon.

England international Steve Guppy filled the left-sided role at Leicester last season as they secured a top 10 Premiership finish.

But Taylor looks ready to switch to a flat back four having already signed Birmingham right-back Gary Rowett and Davidson would therefore be another key part in the jigsaw.

One of Souness's briefs when he took over at Ewood was to reduce a top-heavy first-team squad and Davidson's impending departure looks likely to set the ball rolling.

Keith Gillespie, Nathan Blake, Darren Peacock, Billy McKinlay and Per Frandsen have been told they can go and with Rovers chief executive John Williams confirming that the club has fielded a number of enquiries movement out may be imminent.

Souness is also looking to bring in a couple more new faces to add to the signings of Bjornebye and John Curtis and Barnsley's goal-scoring midfielder Craig Hignett is now top of the wanted list.

A deal is yet to be completed for the 30-year-old but with Rovers keen to get their man, it would be a major surprise if Hignett doesn't end up at Ewood.