Damien Duff will not be making a dramatic return to Blackburn Rovers, reports the Lancashire Telegraph.

The Republic of Ireland winger's Tyneside home is reportedly up for sale and rumours from the north-east suggest he could be surplus to requirements at St James' Park as Kevin Keegan builds a new squad for next season.

But speculation surrounding an emotional return for the 29-year-old to Ewood Park appear to be wide of the mark.

A Rovers source said: "Damien's name has never been mentioned by anyone on the coaching staff in terms of being a summer transfer target, and I don't think Mark sees that position as a priority.

"There are other areas of the team he would prefer to strengthen, and that appears to be what he is focusing on."