SOCCER: Blackburn Rovers intend to ward off the growing interest in Damien Duff by opening talks this week on a new long-term contract.

Newcastle United - who play Blackburn at Ewood Park tonight - Liverpool and Leeds United have all been linked with the highly-rated Republic of Ireland winger and Blackburn know the list of suitors could grow after the World Cup.

They are now keen to tie Duff to Ewood Park for the forseeable future, even though he has two years left on his existing deal.

Negotiations are due to start this week and Rovers hope to reach agreement on a new lucrative deal before Duff jets off to Japan with the Irish next month.

They are confident of a successful and speedy resolution to the talks, as the 23-year-old has already said he would be happy to remain at the club.

Duff, a key figure for Blackburn in recent weeks as the club have pulled clear of the relegation zone, was outstanding in their 3-1 victory at Middlesbrough on Saturday. The win lifted Rovers six points clear of the drop zone and they could effectively clinch safety by beating Newcastle tonight.

However manager Graeme Souness does not want his players to ease off, saying: "We're in a good position now, but we must still have the attitude that we need all the points that we can get. We want to drive up the table and prove what I've said all season - that we're too good to be near the bottom."

Matt Jansen remains on the doubtful list for Rovers because of a stomach bug, but Souness hopes he could figure at some stage.

The manager will also check on Yordi after the striker went home to Spain on Saturday night to be present at the birth of his first child.

Definitely out is Craig Hignett, who has had an operation on his troublesome Achilles.

A draw at Ewood Park would be enough to ensure that Newcastle cannot be caught by fifth-placed Chelsea, and would guarantee a Champions League place next season. After four successive campaigns in which they have failed to reach the top 10, that would be some achievement for manager Bobby Robson.

The finishing line is agonisingly close for United, who reached a 67-point total with Saturday's 3-0 victory over Charlton at St James' Park.

But three players who helped their side to that win - Robbie Elliott, Kieron Dyer and Lomana LuaLua - are injury doubts.

Elliott complained of a knee problem after the game but is hopeful of shaking it off, while both Dyer and LuaLua have groin strains.

Again, Robson could have both men at his disposal, but has Jermaine Jenas, Clarence Acuna, Carl Cort and the fit-again Craig Bellamy waiting in the wings.