CHAIRMAN John Williams already knows who he wants to succeed Paul Ince as Blackburn Rovers manager – with Sam Allardyce emerging as the front-runner to land the vacant hot-seat.

Bookmakers’ favourite Graeme Souness told the Lancashire Telegraph ‘I’m not your man’ yesterday, and we believe Allardyce could be officially unveiled at Ewood Park within the next 48 hours.

Allardyce and Williams are already believed to have held talks about the potential appointment with Rovers keen on filling the post before Saturday’s visit of Stoke City.

Former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce refused to rule himself out in a conversation with the Lancashire Telegraph yesterday, offering “no comment”.

Allardyce was previously interviewed for the job after Mark Hughes’ summer departure and, with fans’ feelings towards him mellowing since the summer, could now prove a popular choice.

It is understood Allardyce is set to be ruled out of the running for the vacant managerial position at Sunderland and he is keen to return to football after his departure from Newcastle in January.

Sources close to Allardyce reveal he would not be put off by the ill-feeling directed towards him by some Rovers fans when he was last linked with the job.

Former Rovers boss Graeme Souness told the Lancashire Telegraph yesterday he was not in the running for the Ewood Park hot-seat, as Williams closes in on landing a new boss by Saturday’s visit of Stoke.

Ray Mathias and Archie Knox have been placed in temporary charge, following Ince’s dismissal yesterday morning, but the Rovers supremo revealed he was hopeful of making an appointment within the next few days.

Williams believes the presence of a new man at Ewood Park on Saturday could provide a decisive boost to a confidence-lacking playing squad.

The Lancashire Telegraph understand Williams has already held talks with the potential successor, suggesting the man at the top of his wish-list is currently unemployed.

While Williams refused to rule anyone in or out of the managerial race, Souness told us yesterday he had not heard from Rovers and was “not a contender”.

The Scot who guided Rovers back to the Premier League during a four-year spell at Ewood between 2000-2004, has been made hot favourite to return but Souness insists they have got the wrong man.

He said: “I’m afraid you are talking to the wrong man. I don’t know anything and have had no contact at all from Blackburn Rovers.

“It doesn’t surprise me to see my name in there but I’m not your man, I can definitely say that.”

Other names linked with the job include former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley, ex Liverpool man Gerard Houllier and Inter Milan’s old boss Roberto Mancini.

Former Rovers striker Alan Shearer would prove a popular contender among supporters but it is unlikely he would be interested or that the club would be willing to gamble on another unproven manager in the top flight.

Williams relieved Ince of his duties yesterday morning, after protracted talks were held by the board during Monday.

First team coach Knox took training, before the players were informed of the decision at about 11.30am.

Rovers currently sit second from bottom in the Premier League and effectively six points adrift of safety, as an 11-match winless run leaves them deep in the relegation mire.

Williams said: “I do have an idea of who I want to come in and we will be working to try and make that happen over the next couple of days.

“Hopefully we will have someone in by the weekend but there are no guarantees, we have to make sure we get the right man now.

“You can’t underestimate how much of a boost a physical presence could have on Saturday for what is an absolutely mammoth game.

“Everyone needs to know how big this game is as this is a time the club really has to come together. ”