Blackburn set to sign Dickov

The Blackburn Rovers manager, Graeme Souness, hopes to clinch the surprise signing of Paul Dickov, raising a doubt over the future of Andy Cole.

The Blackburn Rovers manager, Graeme Souness, hopes to clinch the surprise signing of Paul Dickov, raising a doubt over the future of Andy Cole.

Rovers are confident of signing Leicester City's fiery Scot in a £200,000 deal - ahead of rivals West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City. Dickov still has a house in the north west and would be keen to return to the area, where he was a popular player for Manchester City. Souness admires Dickov's feisty and hard-working attitude, seeing him as an ideal partner for Jon Stead.

Souness has written Dwight Yorke out of his plans for the future and now Yorke's old sidekick Cole could be under pressure for a first-team spot. Cole's lucrative contract will, however, stop him moving easily. Souness is working within a tight budget but is also closing in on Morten Pedersen, although the Norwegian club Tromso have turned down an opening £1.5m bid.

Danny Tiatto is set for talks with Leicester. The Australian has been released by Manchester City and is due to meet Micky Adams. However, Tiatto has a fractured jaw and will have to prove his fitness.

The City manager, Kevin Keegan, is close to missing out on Daniel van Buyten, who impressed in six games on loan from Marseille until he picked up a knee injury.

Keegan knows his chances of signing the Belgian international on a permanent basis are hampered by his lack of funds, and Van Buyten is now set to move elsewhere.

Birmingham are hoping to announce the signing of Leicester's Muzzy Izzet this week. "We have held talks with Muzzy and his representatives and things are pretty near to being finalised," a City spokesman said. The club are also waiting for a response from Chelsea, after tabling a bid in the region of £3m for the Danish winger Jesper Gronkjaer.