BLACKBURN Rovers today warned Wolves boss Dave Jones to forget about signing Marcus Bent after slapping a 'not for sale' sign on the speedy striker.

Reports in today's national Press suggested Jones was lining up a £3 million bid for the former Sheffield United hit-man following the arrival of Italian goal-ace Corrado Grabbi from Ternana.

But Rovers chief executive John Williams has moved quickly to nip such speculation in the bud, insisting Jones would be wasting his time if he tried to contact the club about the 23-year-old's availability.

"It seems to me that Wolves are going to have a real go at it next season from what I can see," said Williams.

"But no-one from there has ever discussed the possibility of trying to sign Marcus.

"And, even if they did, then they'd find out he's not for sale so talk of him leaving is well wide of the mark."

Armed with a £10 million war-chest, Jones is clearly preparing to launch a serious assault on the First Division title next season.

But, after failing in a £3 million bid for Preston's Jon Macken, his hopes of prising Bent away from Ewood also look doomed.

Grabbi's big money arrival will inevitably increase the competition for places but the former Blade still has a big part to play in manager Graeme Souness's plans next term.

The future of Nathan Blake, however, remains in greater doubt.

With Bent, Grabbi and Matt Jansen now all ahead of him in the Ewood pecking order, the Welsh international could well be surplus to requirements, along with Egil Ostenstad.

But the former Bolton man insists he is unperturbed by all the speculation linking him with moves elsewhere.

"I haven't read the papers for months so I only found out recently that Blackburn were in for Grabbi," said Blake.

"But it makes no difference to me.

"Of course it will increase competition for first team places but I'm the kind of person who keeps an open mind." "In football, you never know how things are going to map out.

"So far, there's been no indication that Blackburn are prepared to sell me.

"But I could be gone within two or three weeks or I could stay for the two years I have left on my contract."

Blake continues to be linked with a move back to Cardiff but the 29-year-old striker insists he has no plans to join Sam Hammam's Welsh revolution in the near future. "To be honest, no-one has spoken to me about a move back to Cardiff," said Blake.

"It's not as if I don't know Sam Hammam. I've had lunch with him and been to his house so it would be easy to contact me or my agent.

"But we've heard nothing.

"If Cardiff were interested Blackburn would have let us know by now.

"As far as I am concerned, it's pure speculation.

"I don't know where it all started, it's been going on for two or three months and it's become a bit embarrassing.

"Whenever I go home, people keep asking me when I am coming back.

"Don't get me wrong, I love Cardiff City. The supporters are second to none and I would like to manage the club one day when my playing career is over.

"They are the only Second Division club I would ever consider playing for at present but, realistically, I just can't see it happening -- there are too many stumbling blocks.

"I know Cardiff are showing genuine ambition and the fans can look forward to more success with Sam at the helm.

"But it's a massive step down and then there's also the wages issue.

"I'm only 29 and like to think that my future is in the Premiership for a few more years yet.

"I want to play at the highest level I can for as long as possible because that would enhance my international career.

"I want to win as many caps as I can and help Wales reach a major finals at long last."