MORE uncertainty over Nicky Barmby's position at Middlesbrough is bound to have Blackburn Rovers on red alert.

But, contrary to national newspaper reports, Rovers are unlikely to follow the Middlesbrough Samba trail by bringing Bebeto to Ewood Park.

However, should Boro boss Bryan Robson decide to cash in to help shore up a leaking defence, Ewood boss Ray Harford is one of Barmby's biggest admirers.

And he has tried on at least one previous occasion to sign the England star who is said to be unsettled at the Riverside Stadium. Barmby is just the sort of player that Rovers need - young, exciting and with a potentially great future if a club can get the best out of him, which does not seem to be happening at Middlesbrough at the moment. So far, the Teesside club have steadfastly refused to contemplate selling but circumstances change and Rovers must be ready to think big if the opportunity arises.

Meanwhile, the national newspapers have finally caught up with the Bebeto story, which was carried exclusively in Saturday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

As we reported at the time, Bebeto is on offer for £5 million, plus a huge salary, and Rovers - among other clubs - are fully aware of that.

But, as we also said, it is distinctly unlikely they would take such a gamble on a player who could well be past his best.

Jurgen Klinsmann has ended weeks of speculation surrounding his immediate future by revealing that he has no intention at present of returning to England.

The German captain and star striker says he is staying at Bayern Munich despite a poor start to the Bundesliga season.

Rovers have been one of the clubs interested in Klinsmann, voted Footballer of the Year in 1995 after a stunning season with Tottenham.

But he added: "In football you never know - anything can happen. In the last few weeks there were a couple of rumours going around because I had a few problems, I didn't score for a couple of weeks and immediately they start to criticise you.

"But lately I have been scoring again, so suddenly everything is perfect. For me it was never a question of leaving just because I didn't score a goal for a few weeks."

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