Fowler future faces delay

Fowler: Yet to sign

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Blackburn boss Paul Ince has revealed the club have yet to agree a deal with Robbie Fowler.

Fowler is reported to have spurned the offer of a pay-as-you-play deal as he looks to secure a longer-term contract.

The 33-year-old striker has been training with Rovers this summer after he left Cardiff.

His former Liverpool and England team-mate, Paul Ince, is now in charge at Ewood Park and had hoped to utilise the veteran forward this season.

However, Fowler is holding out for a longer contract than the one currently on offer and will miss the opportunity to prove his fitness in a Carling Cup clash against Grimsby on Wednesday.

Deadline

"The situation with Robbie is still up in the air, so he won't be involved against Grimsby," said Ince.

"These things do take time, especially when the agent gets involved.

"I'm not unsure about Robbie, I'm just unsure as to when it will get done.

"There is no deadline, though, because he is a free agent and not tied down to the transfer window."

Break

While being forced to accept that Fowler will play no part against the Mariners, Ince will still use the game to rest a number of his first-team regulars.

"Andre Ooijer and Roque Santa Cruz played 90 minutes for their national teams last week and again against Hull at the weekend.

"I'm not happy about that and I'll be speaking to their international managers about it, but they will need a break."

Discussions

Meanwhile, Rovers chairman John Williams has confirmed the club are ready to offer a new deal to midfielder David Dunn.

The 28-year-old still has two years left to run on his current contract, but is set to open talks regarding an extension.

"David wants to stay and we want to keep him," said Williams.

"He's had a short discussion with the manager and I'm sure we'll sort it."