BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness could be ready to join the chase for Everton's Michael Ball if the England defender fails to agree a new contract with the Goodison club.

Rovers are believed to have sounded out the Toffees about Ball's availability earlier in the summer only to be told he was not for sale.

But they may now be ready to resurrect their interest IF Everton boss Walter Smith fails to come up with a package attractive enough to keep the player on Merseyside.

Toffees boss Smith would be loathed to lose another one of his star players with Francis Jeffers having already turned down a new contract.

But, with money tight at Goodison, he may have to sell both of his best young stars, knowing he can have all the money he raises from sales, which could also include Thomas Gravesen, Steve Simonsen, Alex Nyarko, Abel Xavier and Thomas Myhre.

A posse of clubs have all been linked with Ball, including Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester United.

But Rovers are unlikely to be willing to stump up the £8 million quoted in some sections of the Press, with Souness more likely to offer half that amount.

For the time being, however, all interested parties must await the outcome of the player's contract talks with Everton.

And the indications are he will sign a new deal in the next few weeks.

"Michael wants to sign for Everton and he wants it sorted out as soon as possible to stop the rumours," said a spokesman for the player.

"But the club is dragging things out.

"I'm 99 per cent sure he will sign a new Everton contract but we've been told that nothing can be rubber-stamped until a board meeting on June 14.

"Michael would like it sorted before then.

"He's been told by Walter Smith that he's one of the top three players at the club.

"So he should be rewarded in that way.

"Everton should put their money where their mouth is.

"It isn't right that some players who don't do the business day-in-day-out, week-in-week-out should be rewarded more than Michael.

"He's not making massive demands.

"He only wants parity with the so-called high earners at the club.

"Michael would love to captain Everton. That's his dream, but they've bought Alessandro Pistone, David Unsworth and Gary Naysmith to play in his position.

"How does that make him feel?"

Ball is aware of the interest from other clubs, including that of Merseyside neighbours Liverpool.

The spokesman added: "We first heard about the Liverpool thing about three weeks ago.

"He said he didn't want to play for Liverpool, that he wouldn't be able to look his mates in the eye if he went there. But he must be professional.

"Blackburn have been interested for about six weeks. Arsenal, Spurs, Leeds and Celtic have also shown some interest.

"And there's also the situation with Denis Irwin at Manchester United.

"We'll have to wait to see what happens there.

"However, he wants to stay local and going to Liverpool would mean he'd stay on Merseyside."