THE transfer tunnel between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United is expected to reopen later today with. Robbie Elliott moving from Tyneside to north Lancashire.
The versatile England under 21 international seems likely to join Rovers in the same week that Alan Shearer went in the opposite. direction to St James's Park.
With Shearer's £15 million fee to take into account, Blackburn manager Ray Harford has apparently agreed to pay around £3 million for Elliott who has been on a weekly contract at Newcastle since the end of last season.
Elliott had been expected to join Nottingham Forest but they baulked at Newcastle's asking price, insisting the player was worth only £2.3 million.
Germany's captain Jurgen Klinsmann yesterday announced he did not wish to fill the massive void created in Harford's side by Shearer's defection to his native Tyneside.
Klinsmann insisted he will be remaining with Bayern Munich as rumours of his imminent arrival at Ewood Park temporarily lifted the spirits of Blackburn's rather dejected support.
Manchester City have run into problems as they attempt to sign Australian international Damian Mori on the cheap. Although City have agreed a fee of £500,000 for the Adelaide City striker, they wish to pay in instalments.
Mori could well arrive at Maine Road at the precise moment Republic of Ireland international Niall Quinn departs.
Last season's first division champions Sunderland, yesterday launched an official bid of £1 million for Quinn despite being told he is valued at £1.3 million.
Fears that Manchester United's Roy Keane would miss the opening few weeks of the season because of injury were allayed yesterday.
Keane damaged a knee during last weekend's four team tournament in Nottingham but a precautionary scan has revealed only minor muscle damage.
"There is nothing seriously wrong and he can now resume training," said the United manager Alex Ferguson.
Keane now seems likely to play in Sunday's Charity Shield game. against Newcastle United at Wembley.
Neville Southall now seems destined to extend by at least one. more season an already lengthy career at Everton.
Despite the arrival of England under 21 international Paul Gerrard from Oldham Athletic last week, Southall has been reassured that he will definitely play first team football in his 17th year with the Merseyside club.
On Tuesday, Southall travelled to the Midlands to discuss a free transfer to first division Wolverhampton Wanderers.
. Players' union official Brian Marwood yesterday aimed a broadside at the Football League chairmen he believes are putting English League stars on the road to strike action.
Former England international Marwood, commercial executive with the Professional Footballers' Association, insists that the players will exercise the right to take industrial action.
