BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has been knocked back in his bid to land Aston Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman.

Souness wanted to bring the Finnish international in on loan as cover for Brad Friedel while Alan Kelly recovers from a knee operation.

But Rovers' attempts to seek a special dispensation to land the 26-year-old have been blocked by the Premier League, which leaves German rookie David Yelldell as the only other senior keeper on the books at Ewood.

Under current transfer legislation, Premiership clubs are not allowed to sign players who are attached to other clubs outside of the transfer window.

But special cases can be made when it comes to goalkeepers and Rovers were hoping to bring in some experienced cover for Friedel while Kelly is sidelined.

"We made an enquiry to the Premier League about bringing in a keeper because there's a special dispensation for goalkeepers but we were told 'no'," said chief executive John Williams.

"So unless we get an injury to either Brad or David, which we obviously don't want, then we won't be given permission."

Souness was alerted to Enckelman's possible availability by goalkeeping coach Roy Tunks.

But Rovers never got to the point of making a formal approach for the player after the Premier League put a block on any potential move.

In the meantime, Yelldell, a promising young stopper who has yet to appear in the Premiership, will continue to act as Friedel's deputy until Kelly is fit to return to action, hopefully later this month.

The former Republic of Ireland international underwent a knee operation two weeks ago and he has also had treatment for a finger injury which he sustained in training.

He is expected to be missing for a further three weeks.

Meanwhile, striker Dwight Yorke insists Rovers must not panic despite their disastrous start to the Barclaycard Premiership season.

Rovers are lying 19th in the table after five successive defeats and they have also made early UEFA Cup and Carling Cup exits.

Graeme Souness yesterday admitted he's at his lowest ebb since taking charge at Ewood three years ago, following the team's latest setback against Leicester at the Walkers Stadium on Sunday.

But Yorke is convinced Blackburn have the ability to climb out of trouble - although the striker knows it is vital they halt the slide soon.

He said: "We felt a little bit hard done-by with the result at Leicester.

"It's the sort of thing that has been happening to us all season - but we've got to keep going.

"There are still a lot of games to play and a lot of points to play for, and if we stay positive I am sure we will be okay.

"It is important not to panic, not at this stage, not with so many games to play. But it is also important we do stop the rot.

"The confidence has maybe been knocked a little bit - and the longer we stay in trouble then, yes, of course it will be that way. But we have the ability to get out of this position.

"It's only a few months ago that we were doing well and qualified for the UEFA Cup by finishing high up in the league."

Yorke spurned a couple of opportunities at the Walkers Stadium which could have altered the outcome - but he knows that fortunes can quickly change for a striker.

He said: "I felt I was a bit unlucky at Leicester. It was one of those days. Sometimes the chances go in, sometimes they don't. There's a thin dividing line.

"I've been in the game long enough to know things will turn with my experience and know-how and that things change quickly for you as players."

Souness plans to take his players on a short break to a Scottish retreat tomorrow in a bid to strengthen morale within the squad ahead of next week's game against Everton.