MATTHEW Le Tissier today declared that no amount of money could tempt him to join Blackburn Rovers.

The national newspapers seem determined to bring the £10 million-rated England outcast to Ewood.

Some reports even suggested Jack Walker was prepared to make his private jet available to help Le Tissier commute from his Hampshire base, from where the player runs a number of business interests.

And, while Mr Walker may well be keen to see the Southampton star in a Rovers shirt, Le Tissier is happy at the Saints.

He said today: "There isn't really much I can add to what I said at the start of the season.

"I have not heard anything from Blackburn and, even if I did, I would not be interested because I am under contract here and happy to stay. "That's nothing against Blackburn or anyone else.

"I love this club and the area.

"You cannot put a price on personal happiness."

Elsewhere, First Division rivals Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town are battling it out for the signature of Blackburn Rovers midfield ace Lee Makel.

Town boss Brian Horton has spoken to Rovers about Makel and is ready to make a move for the unsettled star in the next 48 hours.

Horton confirmed: "We need to get things going in midfield and Lee Makel fits that bill.

"We've come unstuck recently and I need one or two fresh faces to come in and spice things up for us.

"Lee is a player with a lot of ability and Huddersfield are definitely interested. I hope to speak with the player in the very near future."

The highly-talented Makel has been unable to command a regular first team place since he arrived from Newcastle United in a £160,000 deal two years ago and is desperate for first team football.

A move to either Huddersfield or Palace would grant him that opportunity.

Makel, 22, is out of contract at Rovers and has been training at Selhurst Park for several days.

Rovers chairman Rob Coar added today: "Crystal Palace appear to be favourites at the moment but we will have to wait and see what develops."

Scottish Premiership outfit Heart of Midlothian have denied Rovers are ready to move for superkid Gary Locke.

The Scottish Under-21 stopper has attracted a host of scouts to Tynecastle with Rangers, Celtic, Spurs and Rovers all believed to be in the hunt.

But Hearts manager Jim Jeffries said: "There is always interest in young players with obvious talent but we have had no approach from Blackburn."

Locke is currently sidelined with knee damage but could be back in league action against Raith Rovers this weekend.

The 20-year-old, who arrived at Hearts from non-league Whitehill Welfare, has been capped several times at Under-21 level for Scotland.

Another youngster reported to be a Rovers target is Clydebank's teenage defender Gary Bowman.

**Former Rovers centre forward Frank Lord has been placed in charge of team affairs at Wigan Athletic following yesterday's dismissal of Chorley-based Graham Barrow.

Lord played 10 games for Rovers between 1966 and 1967 and is a former colleague of Wigan owner and former Ewood favourite, Dave Whelan. **Rovers Reserves face Everton tonight at Goodison (kick-off 7.00pm) in the Pontins League and have named a 14-man squad

Rovers from: Talia, Hitchen, Whealing, Morgan, Reed, Marker, Gill, Holmes, Warhurst, Holt, Tallon, Malone, Goodall, McCrone.

**Reports that Kenny Dalglish was facing an operation on his knee after suffering a freak training ground accident are a little wide of the mark. The Rovers director of football played a 90 minute training match yesterday!

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