LIVERPOOL boss Roy Evans looks poised to join the race for Blackburn Rovers' 'want-away' goalkeeper Shay Given at the end of the season.

And Ewood striker Graham Fenton is also a wanted man - by former Rovers boss Ray Harford, now in charge of West Bromwich Albion.

Kenny Dalglish is clear favourite to take young Republic of Ireland star Given to Newcastle United when his contract ends this summer.

Sunderland too, if they stay in the Premiership, are in the running for a player who became a cult figure at Roker when he helped the club to promotion during a three-month loan spell.

But I understand from excellent sources that Liverpool are also keeping tabs on the keeper who is set to be one of the summer's hottest properties.

It has not been the happiest of seasons for David James, who recently lost his place in the England squad.

The keeper has had to shoulder much of the blame for Liverpool failing to put up a stronger challenge for a trophy.

Evans has publicly stood by James but the demand for success at Anfield is huge and hot properties such as Given do not become available too often.

Although it is believed that the keeper has set his sights on Tyneside, he might have second thoughts if Liverpool were to make a serious move for him.

His old club Celtic, who let Rovers have Given on a free transfer, have been linked with him, but Glasgow contacts say they are unlikely to be prepared to pay a major fee to take him back to Parkhead.

Rovers have constantly tried to persuade Given to accept a new Ewood deal.

But, understandably, the keeper wants first team football to further his career, especially at international level where Irish boss Mick McCarthy has refused to select him unless he is playing regularly for his club. That has prevented Given adding to his eight full international caps, despite the fact that he is rated by many judges as the Republic's number one.

Privately, Rovers will be resigned to losing him and the transfer fee may well have to be set by a tribunal. But an auction between top clubs for his services could only drive up the price and benefit Rovers.

Meanwhile, ex-Ewood boss Harford is searching for several players to strengthen West Brom ready for a promotion push next season.

There is money available to spend at the Hawthorns and I understand he has made Fenton one of his top targets.

Signed by Harford from Aston Villa for £1.45 million in November 1995, Fenton's first team starts have been restricted but he has regularly appeared on the substitutes' bench and scored half a dozen goals in the second half of last season. When he was a Villa player he had a spell on loan with West Brom and proved popular, scoring three goals in seven appearances.

Rovers' Lancashire FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United will be played at Old Trafford on Wednesday, May 14 (kick-off 7pm).

The Away Travel Club are running coaches to the game and bookings are now being taken at Ewood.

Junior Rovers hold their player of the year disco in Strikers tomorrow (7pm-9-30pm)) when the presentation will be held. Admission is members £1, non-members £1-50.

All tickets for Saturday's game at Southampton have been sold.

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