PER Pedersen's £2.5 million move from Odense to Blackburn Rovers could be sealed before Saturday's trip to Anfield.

The Danish striker has had detailed talks with Ewood officials and was having the usual medicals today.

But Rovers, who hope the deal can be finalised before tomorrow lunchtime, have rejected a request by former boss Ray Harford to take winger Stuart Ripley to West Bromwich Albion on loan.

Harford has been back to Ewood to ask about several Rovers players, notably Ripley, who is back in training after recovering from a foot injury.

But caretaker-boss Tony Parkes told him "nothing doing".

Rovers are eager to strengthen their squad, not see it depleted, and Parkes said: "We wouldn't really consider letting any of our first team squad players go, certainly not on loan."

Ripley has been out of first team action for some time, with a series of niggling injuries. The latest was caused in a private practice game against Everton, when he landed badly and damaged the arch of his foot.

It has taken some time to clear but the winger was able to start training again this week and will be looking to get a reserve game behind him soon to start challenging for a recall to the squad. If the Pedersen deal went through before noon tomorrow, the Dane would be eligible for the game against Liverpool on Saturday.

It depends on how quickly the club get the results of the medical tests.

Pedersen has had problems in the past with knee injuries, caused both by football and a motorcycle accident.

Danish journalists, however, confirm that in the last couple of years he has played injury free and without any apparent problems.

But whether Parkes would include him at Anfield, after the dramatic events of the past couple of days, is another matter.

The Dane speaks excellent English but still has to get to know the people he hopes will be his new team-mates.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.