BLACKBURN striker Egil Ostenstad has rejected the chance of a loan move to Spanish giants Las Palmas.

Ewood chief Graeme Souness was prepared to let the striker join the injury-hit La Liga club until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent deal.

However, the Norwegian international today revealed he has knocked back the chance of regular first team football because his wife is expecting a baby.

"When the manager wants you to go out on loan that's not a particularly good sign for me," said Ostenstad.

"But it's totally out of the question for me to go out of the country now because my wife is due to have a baby in six weeks time."

Ostenstad has made just 11 starts this season with Matt Jansen, Mark Hughes, Marcus Bent and Nathan Blake all preferred ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, when injuries meant he was given a run in the side, it coincided with a seven unbeaten run which transformed Rovers' season.

But, since he lost his place for the club's 125th anniversary clash with Wolves in November, he has made just one further start against Chester in the FA Cup.

And he admits he may have to accept his future ultimately lies elsewhere.

"It's going to be difficult to get myself back in favour because, if I was going to play in the first team, then the manager wouldn't have been prepared to let me go out on loan," said Ostenstad.

"But that's football, and all I can do is get my head down and work as hard as I can to try and get back into the team.

"I played against Chester the other week which was difficult because that was the first time I'd started a proper game since we played Yeovil three months ago.

"So I didn't play well but neither did the team on the day."

Meanwhile, Ewood chief executive John Williams today quashed reports linking Rovers with a move for Tim Sherwood.

One story in the national Press over the weekend claimed Rovers' have had a £3 million bid rejected by Tottenham for their former skipper.

But Williams has poured cold water on the suggestion.

"There's nothing in that whatsoever," said Williams.

"We've not made a bid or an enquiry about Tim Sherwood so there's nothing in that at all."

A new date has yet to be set for Rovers' trip to Birmingham after yesterday's match was postponed due to heavy snow in the Midlands.

Referee Uriah Rennie called the game off after conducting a pitch inspection at 8.30am.

Rovers supporters club have asked fans to keep hold of their tickets until a new date has been arranged.

Rovers' Academy games against Sunderland and Stoke at Brockhall were both postponed at the weekend due to the bad weather.