ROVERS will continue to chase a new defensive signing today but are warning that there is no guarantee of success.

Chief executive John Williams confirmred this morning: "We will be pushing on with our efforts to sign a player this week but it is a question of whether the other club wants to sell.

"We are tracking a player from overseas and we are certainly expecting to find out this week if we can sign him."

Graeme Souness is eager to strengthen his defensive options in the light of recent injury problems and two names thought to be in the frame are the Nuremberg players Nils-Eric Johansson and Marek Nikl, from the Czech Republic.

Johansson, who recently moved to Nuremberg from Bayern Munich, is 21. The 25-year-old Nikl is more experienced.

But Williams did stress that the target is currently playing overseas and that would rule out any links with Derby's England Under-21 star Seth Johnson.

Meanwhile, Rovers moved up to seventh in the Premiership table on the back of Saturday's welcome 1-0 win over Everton.

But the result came at a price as winger Damien Duff became the latest player to join the Ewood injury list after damaging his hamstring towards the end of the first half.

Manager Graeme Souness later admitted the Republic of Ireland international is now a virtual non-starter for Sunday's clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

"Damien has tweaked his hamstring and that came about because he was tired," said Souness. "He's not torn it but he felt it tighten up which is why we brought him off."

Despite that injury blow, Souness was delighted with the result even if he did admit his side were fortunate to emerge with three points.

"After every game we've played this season, I've talked afterwards about how unlucky we were and how we might not have got what we deserved.

"But on Saturday, I think we had to regard ourselves as lucky.

"We looked a tired outfit which is understandable given our efforts over the last week or so.

"We had a long trip and a difficult game at Ipswich and it was very hard game against Bolton last Wednesday when we were left chasing the match for most of the night.

"So I thought we looked a yard off the pace from the first minute until the last.

"And on any other day Everton probably would have got something out of it.

"But they showed their manager and their supporters that they have spirit and if they play like that this season then they'll be fine."

Italian hit-man Ciccio Grabbi netted the all-important winner, notching his first goal since his summer move from Ternana.

But Rovers also had keeper Brad Friedel to thank for an inspired performance between the posts as he saved a first half penalty from Everton dangerman Duncan Ferguson.

"The penalty wasn't a great penalty but he still had to read it and go the right way," said Souness.

"And his save in the second half was outstanding when he tipped a shot from Joe Max-Moore onto the post.

"But that's what he's paid for. He's had next to nothing to do so far this season so it was about time he started earning his money!"