JASON McAteer's future at Ewood today looked in increasing doubt after his agent admitted the former Liverpool star would be interested in talking to other clubs this summer.

The Republic of Ireland international has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he was axed from Graeme Souness's squad during Rovers' promotion run-in.

Sporting Lisbon are the latest club to be linked with a move for the 29-year-old following reports in the Irish Press suggesting he trained with the Portuguese giants last week.

But, though his adviser Dave Lockwood today insisted those stories had no foundation, he did admit a move to Portugal would appeal to the player if Sporting were ever to show a genuine interest.

"Jason has been in Portugal for the past seven days but he's been with his girlfriend so we've had no discussions at all with Sporting Lisbon," said his agent.

"I was reading with amusement about him training with Sporting -- he only went to see Phil Babb, so it's an absolute load of rubbish.

"Babb is out there and they are best mates, so Jason went out with his girlfriend and his son for a holiday to stay with the Babbs.

"Jason went to one of the games to watch his mate play when he was out there and that's it really.

"So as far as I can tell you, I'm not aware that Sporting Lisbon are interested in Jason McAteer.

"Clearly, if a club of Sporting Lisbon's standing were to show an interest, I think it would be somewhat naive for me to say that the player wouldn't be interested in being linked with a club like that.

"If they came in for him we would seriously be interested in talking to them.

"But, likewise, we would be interested in talking to any club of that standing.

"They're playing in Europe this year and you'd be a fool not to be interested," he added.

McAteer lost his place in Souness's starting line-up after reacting angrily to being substituted in the 5-0 derby win over Burnley.

And Rovers would now appear to be ready to listen to offers for a player who cost £4 million when he signed from Liverpool in 1999.

"I've spoken at length with Graeme Souness and John Williams, and there are certain players that Graeme wants to bring in," said Lockwood.

"If Jason has any aspirations to go on elsewhere, Blackburn are being extremely good and very helpful -- and they're not going to stand in the player's way.

"The situation is that he's got two years left at Blackburn Rovers, and his contract expires in June 2003.

"I think he's had an indifferent season this year.

"He's sort of been in and out -- but I still think he's played 25 or 30 games.

"Jason wants to play in the Premiership, he's never made any secret of that fact, and obviously Blackburn are in the Premiership.

"But the operative word is that he wants to play."