Yorke facing test of character at Rovers

Alan Nixon
Saturday 12 April 2003 00:00 BST
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Dwight Yorke's future at Blackburn Rovers looks uncertain following the arrival of Hakan Sukur.

The former Manchester United player has lost his place to the Turkish striker who is on the brink of signing for the club full-time. Yorke's old partnership with Andy Cole has been broken up by the Rovers manager Graeme Souness – who exhibited little sympathy for him yesterday after naming Cole and Hakan up front for today's game at Charlton.

"I expect Dwight to take it like a man," Souness said.

"It is the business we are in. I don't think he would expect to play after both strikers played so well at Fulham. Hakan and Andy are two good players. I am a firm believer that good players can work together no matter what their styles or sizes. A good player sees the big picture and how to play with someone else."

Jay-Jay Okocha may have played a big role in Bolton's climb away from the bottom three, but that has not stopped his manager Sam Allardyce from warning the Nigerian about his extravagances.

Allardyce rates Okocha as the most skilful player he has worked with, but is not happy with his exhibitionist side and fears that he will get himself into trouble with embarrassed opponents. "No one likes to have the mickey taken out of them," Allardyce said. "I think Jay-Jay should be careful with it. Showboating is not in my equation as a boss or when I was a player. Otherwise he will have to look out for what's coming. My advice is: 'Don't do it or it might cost you.' "

The Derby County interim manager George Burley expects a decision to be made on his future next week.

Burley was appointed for an initial two-week period after the suspension of manager John Gregory. The Rams travel to Wimbledon today – the last match of Burley's fortnight in charge – with the Scotsman expecting discussions about extending his time in charge to begin on Monday.

"I said when I arrived it's very much a game-to-game situation and, until the club say otherwise, I'll carry on that way," he said.

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