Rovers' McKinley bid rebuffed

Blackburn's request to speak to first-team coach Billy McKinlay about the manager's job at Ewood Park has been rejected by Fulham.

Rovers have been without a manager since the end of September when Steve Kean stepped down following a difficult 21-month stint at the helm in which the club was relegated and he faced numerous protests from a section of the fans who wanted him axed.
Eric Black has been in caretaker charge of the Championship club for the past four games, while they have been linked with former captain Tim Sherwood, Alan Shearer and Blackpool boss Ian Holloway.
However, having made no progress on those candidates, McKinley, who played in midfield for Blackburn from 1995 to 2000 before ending his career at Craven Cottage, has been linked.
But Fulham are not willing to let the 43-year-old, who combines his role at Fulham with that of Northern Ireland assistant manager, leave boss Martin Jol's backroom ranks.