YORK City's teenage starlet Martin Garratt is being tracked by Blackburn Rovers who could well have switched their attentions from Crewe's Seth Johnson.

Garratt, an 18-year-old midfielder who can play centrally or on the left, is rated as a star of the future by his manager Alan Little.

And he has similar qualities to Johnson, another teenager whose career has made rapid early strides.

Rovers seemed to be getting nowhere in their pursuit of Johnson with Crewe unwilling to sell at the moment, unless they were offered "silly money", a price they could not refuse.

That is unlikely to happen and chief executive John Williams admitted the trail had cooled with the Crewe player.

But there could still be more transfer activity very soon as manager Brian Kidd attempts to rebuild the Ewood squad for both immediate and future needs.

Garratt would be one for the future, while Jason McAteer, who remains a target, would help solve present needs.

York sources revealed today: "Blackburn have been represented at two recent reserve games when Garratt was playing. Then, when he was put back into the first team on Saturday, they turned up at that game too.

"Brian Kidd will know him from last season when he was heavily involved in taking Jonathan Greening to Manchester United in February."

Although he is still in his first year as a professional, Garratt has made 22 senior starts and six more appearances as a substitute for the first team.

Little says the player has a very good engine and never stops running. He is a very enthusiastic player with a good build for his age.

Rovers' hopes of landing McAteer are still alive but there have not, as yet, been any further developments.

Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that he is staying at Old Trafford, despite speculation that he might become a transfer target for Rovers - denied at Ewood. The Norwegian striker wants more first team games for Manchester United but he said: "It's a difficult situation to be in, but it's a great team to be involved with. "I just want to stay here and I will do everything I can to get in the side.

"The transfer speculation is just paper talk, and - as I keep saying - I want to stay here."

As we reported in last night's later editions, the Newcastle-Rovers FA Cup fifth round clash has been selected by Sky TV as their 'live' game on Sunday, February 14 (kick-off 4pm).

If a replay is needed, it will be at Ewood on Wednesday, February 24.

Tim Sherwood's Ewood future looked set to be decided today, with what are expected to be the final discussions over a new contract.

Rovers' chief executive John Williams confirmed he was meeting the skipper and his representatives and both parties have stressed they believe the wrangle needs to be sorted out one way or another as quickly as possible.

"This really has to be resolved today," said Williams. And Alan Shearer, who missed a penalty when the clubs met in the Worthington Cup earlier this season - Rovers going through after a penalty shootout - is delighted.

"We couldn't have asked for anything better than a home draw," he said. "I am delighted and the fact that it's against my old club only adds to the occasion.

"I see that Keith Gillespie has warned us that Blackburn could win the cup this season. Well, any one of the 16 could win it."

"There's no division gap at this stage. We all have a chance.

"To get to Wembley in the greatest knockout competition in the world is very special and I would love to do it again."

David Ginola is set to miss Saturday's Premiership clash at Ewood, as the Tottenham star has collected eight bookings, meaning a one-match suspension.

Aston Villa's young England star Lee Hendrie is similarly affected on Saturday week when Rovers are due to visit Villa Park in the Premiership.

Rovers' trip to Chelsea, scheduled for Saturday, February 13, has been postponed because of the FA Cup. A new date has yet to be found by the clubs.

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