Blackburn Rovers have been forced to drop plans of signing Camel Meriem.

The Mirror says Blackburn's bid for French midfielder Meriem is on ice again - because of a nagging knee problem.

The former Monaco skipper, who is still a free agent, had a second stint with Rovers this week in a bid to win a contract with Sam Allardyce's men.

However Meriem is toiling with the trouble and may have a minor operation before returning for a third shot at clinching the move next month.

Allardyce wants Meriem to join his squad but needs him to be fit rather than join a group of players on the treatment table.