BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is ready to step up his efforts to land Liverpool defender Markus Babbel.

Souness wants the 30-year-old former German international to help bolster his defensive resources.

And his proposed switch to Ewood has now moved a step closer after agents working on behalf of the player appear to have negotiated a severance pay-off with Liverpool.

"That's the situation as far as we understand it," said Rovers' chief executive John Williams today.

"Those negotiations are close to completion now but that's a separate issue from us, although it will obviously have a knock-on effect.

"That's the essential first step. Now we hope to talk to Liverpool and the final stage will be to complete negotiations with the player himself.

"But things are moving forward."

Babbel is reported to have negotiated a settlement in the region of £2 million with the Reds to cover the remaining two years of his £50,000 a week contract.

Now Williams plans to speak with Liverpool representatives tomorrow when they meet up for a routine Premier League shareholders meeting in London.

However, there's no immediate rush to push through a deal for the ex-Bayern Munich star as Babbel still has three games to serve of a four-match ban, incurred as a result of two sendings off in the reserves last season.

If Souness wants him eligible for the UEFA Cup, though, then he must be signed on by August 30 -- a day before the Premier League transfer window closes.

Meanwhile, Lazio star Dino Baggio trained with Rovers for the first time yesterday as he looks to win a contract with the Premiership leaders until the end of the season.

And Souness was suitability impressed with the 32-year-old Italian international, although he has yet to decide whether or not to sign him on loan.

"He's undoubtedly got quality. He's played 60 times for Italy. First impressions are very good," said Souness.

"We're short in defence and midfield. One of his assets (for the premier league) is his strength and athleticism.

"He's out of favour with Lazio so we'll be looking at him in the next week."

Australian internationals Brett Emerton and Lucas Neill appeared to come through last night's friendly with the Republic of Ireland unscathed.

And Steven Reid has an outside chance of playing some part against Wanderers as his ankle injury continues to respond to intensive treatment.

Steven Reid and Lucas Neill were due to attend Ray Harford's funeral in Surrey today.

Both players played under the former Rovers manager at Millwall where he was working until recently as a coach.

Former Rovers colleagues Tony Parkes and Terry Darracott have also travelled south to pay their respects.