Blackburn Rovers chairman John Williams has dismissed reports of planned talks with Alan Shearer about the manager's job.

Speculation had suggested that Williams was about to fly out to Austria to meet Shearer and discuss his interest.

However, Williams has now played down reports that Shearer could be offered the position by telling Sky Sports News that 40 applications have been submitted.

It remains unclear whether Shearer is on that list, but Williams insists that Blackburn will not be rushed into an appointment.