TREVOR Sinclair's position at QPR will be closely monitored by Blackburn Rovers, following the London club's relegation to the First Division.

But they will probably not be the only ones interested and, if the go-ahead is eventually given for the star to move on, it could spark a multi-million pound auction.

Arsenal have been linked with Sinclair and so have Manchester United and Everton, while Rovers too have maintained a watching brief after previous efforts to bring the player to Ewood have foundered.

Rangers boss Ray Wilkins remains reluctant to sell any of his young stars, hoping to launch an immediate bid for promotion back to the Premiership.

But the club might decide the manager must sell to make up for the income they will lose by being relegated.

Wilkins had talks yesterday with QPR chairman Richard Thompson about the overall situation, but no decisions have yet been made public.

There could be a tug-of-war situation between manager and chairman over whether or not to sell.

Rovers have long been interested in the forward who is on the fringe of England selection.

Indeed they tried to sign him when he moved from Blackpool to QPR for £700,000, being persuaded by then-manager Gerry Francis that he would have a better chance of establishing himself at Loftus Road. Sinclair has never expressed a wish to move from QPR.

But playing in the First Division next season could damage his England chances and that might prompt a change of heart.

He moved up from the under-21s to the senior squad this season and is a contender for a place in the European Championship finals.

If Rangers decide to sell, a likely asking price would be around £5 million.

Rovers will have their own idea about a price and won't budge far from it. But the danger is that if others step in an auction could start.

And transfer prices, post-Bosman, should, in reality, decrease rather than increase with clubs unwilling to invest too much in players who could eventually be able to leave without fees.

Rovers Reserves take on Stoke City at Deepdale tonight (kick-off 7pm).

Despite an heroic effort, Rovers youngsters lost the Lancashire FA Youth Cup 3-2 in front of a 6,000-strong crowd last night at Ewood Park.

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