IPSWICH boss George Burley was hoping to wrap up the signing of Marcus Bent today after a deal for the Ewood hot-shot moved a step closer last night.

As we exclusively revealed yesterday, Rovers have accepted an offer from the Blues for the 23-year-old, believed to be in the region of £3 million.

Bent and his advisers then held talks with Burley yesterday afternoon and passed a medical ahead of Town's 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the UEFA Cup last night.

But the players' agent, Charlie Burt, today said there was still some way to go before a final deal was agreed.

"It's still on-going at the minute," said Burt. "It's now well documented that we are talking with Ipswich.

"But, like most things, these situations can sometimes be more problematic than you initially think.

"So I still think there is some way to go as yet.

"At the moment, he is still a Blackburn player and that will remain that way until our discussions are completed."

Ipswich's move for Bent came totally out of the blue but Rovers had little hesitation in accepting their offer.

After struggling to pin down a regular starting place this term, manager Graeme Souness has subsquently decided the former Sheffield United no longer figures in his long-term plans.

Burt, however, insists the player would have loved the chance to have proved himself at Ewood.

But, with his way to the first team currently barred, he felt he had no option but to listen to what Ipswich had to say.

"Marcus would love to be a Blackburn player but sometimes in football things move on and you don't have any say in the situation," said Burt.

"He's in a strange situation in terms of he wants to play first team football and that's ultimately the most important thing to him."

Bent could soon be followed through the Ewood exit door by Ciccio Grabbi after the Italian striker continues to attract interest from abroad.

Serie B side Napoli are ready to offer close to £6 million for the 26-year-old but if that deal is to be concluded then it is likely to happen next week.

Meanwhile, Grabbi, skipper Garry Flitcroft and defender Lucas Neill have all been ruled out of tomorrow's trip to Chelsea.

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Berg, Short, Johannson, Taylor, Dunn, Tugay, Duff, Gillespie, Jansen, Hughes, Hignett, Johnson, Mahon, Kelly.