Blackburn Rovers' search for a new manager took them up a blind alley yesterday when their primary target, Dave Bassett, insisted he was staying with Barnsley.
It is now thought likely that Blackburn will turn their attentions to the former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce, who has helped transform the fortunes of Huddersfield since he replaced Peter Jackson as manager in May.
Manchester City's manager Joe Royle is also known to have come under discussion in the Blackburn boardroom in the past 72 hours.
Although Blackburn had not sought formal permission to approach Bassett, Barnsley's chairman John Dennis feared he might lose his manager to a club which has proved generous and persuasive in the past.
Dennis met Bassett yesterday and, after "tweaking" the terms of his contract, received a verbal assurance that any offer from Blackburn, however tempting, would be rebuffed.
"We have touched up a few bits and pieces in his deal and I now believe that he is perfectly happy to stay," said Dennis.
