DAMIEN Duff will not be making a dramatic return to Blackburn Rovers.

The Republic of Ireland winger's Tyneside home is reportedly up for sale and rumours from the north-east suggest he could be surplus to requirements at St James' Park as Kevin Keegan builds a new squad for next season.

But speculation surr-ounding an emotional return for the 29-year-old to Ewood Park appear to be wide of the mark.

A Rovers source said: "Damien's name has never been mentioned by anyone on the coaching staff in terms of being a summer transfer target, and I don't think Mark sees that position as a priority.

"There are other areas of the team he would prefer to strengthen, and that appears to be what he is focusing on."

Duff joined Rovers as a trainee from Dublin side Lourdes Celtic as a 17-year-old and stayed in East Lancashire for seven years, making 224 appearances and scoring 34 goals.

During his time at the club he became a fans' favourite, helping Rovers achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2001 and to League Cup success the following year.

However, since his record £17 million move to Chelsea in 2004, Duff has been dogged with injuries and has failed to recapture his Rovers form for either the Blues or Newcaslte.