BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has scrapped his plans to sign Stockport striker Shefki Kuqi.

Ewood chief Souness had spent the last couple of weeks tracking the Finnish international with a view to a possible £600,000 deal.

But, after training with Rovers earlier this week, Kuqi's dreams of a permanent move to Ewood have now collapsed for good.

"Shefki has gone back to Stockport now," said Souness today.

"He's a very big, strong, enthusiastic forward but he's not exactly what we are looking for.

"So we've decided not to pursue that one but I wish him well for the future."

Now Souness will focus his search for a striker elsewhere as he looks to replace Marcus Bent.

But no deal is imminent even though he is currently checking out a number of targets.

"We are not about to make a bid for anyone but we are continuing to look at players all the time."

Meanwhile, Rovers take on Middlesbrough at Ewood tomorrow in another vital Premiership clash.

And Souness insists it's vital to get three points on the board ahead of a hectic run of fixtures.

"We are coming up to a vital stage in our season so it's crucial we get three points in the bag," said Souness.

"After tomorrow, we then play Leeds at home, Arsenal in the cup, and then Newcastle away.

"So our game against Boro is far more important than our Worthington Cup tie against Manchester City was in midweek."

"At the end of the day, we are still trying to establish ourselves as a Premiership force without having to rely so heavily on the finances of Jack Walker."

Rovers have already defeated Boro once this season following a 2-1 extra time win in the Worthington Cup.

But Souness anticipates a far different contest tomorrow.

"The difference between Middlesbrough now and Middlesbrough then is confidence," said Souness.

"They will come here believing they have a genuine chance of getting a result and we've got to be ready to meet that challenge."

Souness hopes to welcome back a raft of players after injury.

He was due to make late checks on Henning Berg, Craig Short, Stig Bjornebye and Matt Jansen this morning.

Lucas Neill and Ciccio Grabbi also have an outside chance of returning.

Rovers squad is: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Short, Berg, Taylor, Johansson, Dunn, Tugay, Gillespie, Duff, Johnson, Mahon, Jansen, Hughes, Hignett, Neill, Grabbi, Filan.

Middlesbrough will choose from: Crossley, Stockdale, Ehiogu, Soyuthgate, Quedrue, Marinelli, Mustoe, Greening, Johnston, Boksic, Nemeth, Beresford, Wilson, Windass, Cooper, Gavin.