BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today said he is confident that Damien Duff will end speculation regarding his future by signing a new contract when he returns for pre-season training.

As we reported earlier in the summer, Rovers offered the Republic of Ireland international a lucrative new deal before he jetted off for the World Cup finals in the Far East.

And Ewood chief Souness is optimistic the inspirational Irishman will put pen-to-paper when he returns from holiday in 10 days time -- a move which would give everyone at the club a massive pre-season boost.

"We've offered Damien a new contract and prior to the World Cup the noises coming from both him and his family were that he was looking to stay, so I've no reason to think that has changed," said Souness, speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"I believe Damien is happy at Blackburn Rovers and if I was an adviser to him then I'd be telling him to stay at Blackburn, in the short term at least.

"He's just started to play the kind of football we all know he's capable of and towards the end of last season he really came into his own.

"I've also seen a change in Damien as a person around the place in terms of the fact he's become more outgoing and, if he continues to progress like that, then his football will also improve as well.

"So as far as I'm concerned, he's developing into a fine young man and to move at this stage could be harmful to him."

Duff -- who still has two years left to run on his present deal -- underlined his value to the squad with a string of impressive performances last term which saw him virtually sweep the board in the end of season player of the year awards.

And his stock has risen even further following some stunning performances for the Republic in Japan and South Korea which has made him one of the most sought-after players in the Premiership, if not the world.

Rovers are determined to do everything in their power to keep hold of the 23-year-old and they have demonstrated their commitment with the offer of a new contract which would make him comfortably one of the highest paid players at the club.

But both Souness and the board are also acutely aware that if he fails to sign then Rovers run the risk of letting him run down his contract, which could eventually see their most valuable asset leave for free in two years' time in a Bosman-style transfer - a situation they simply could not afford to happen.

Therefore, the outcome of the pending contract negotiations could ultimately hold the key to Duff's whole future at the club.

Souness is desperate for the player to stay because he considers him to be an integral part of his future plans.

But if the Dublin-born winger turns down the offer of a new deal then the club would have no choice but to start listening to offers or face the prospect of waving goodbye to £20 million -- the money they would lose if he left for free in 2004.

The Premiership's big three -- Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal -- are all monitoring the situation closely and if Rovers fail to agree terms then they are expected to table offers which would smash the £15 million club-record transfer of Alan Shearer to Newcastle.

All three clubs could also tempt Duff with personal terms which would dwarf any offer Rovers could afford to make the player.

As I understand it, Souness needs an answer off Duff soon because the uncertainty regarding his future has inevitable implications for his summer transfer plans but the Rovers boss remains confident he can persuade him to stay.