COVENTRY City today played down reports linking Peter Reid with the vacant manager's job at Blackburn Rovers.

Certain sections of the national media are tipping Reid as the man to take over at Ewood Park but Sky Blues chief executive Graham Hover says that's news to him.

"I'd be pretty surprised if Peter wanted to go, particularly at a time when he's actively trying to bring new players in and build something at this club.

"We've certainly had no approach from Blackburn and I believe it's just speculation, as there always is when a manager's job comes up.

"I will speak to Peter but I can guess what he will say.

"We've spoken several times this week, he hasn't mentioned anything and neither do I expect him to.

"In fact, one of our conversations was about who we thought might be in for the job."

Reid was thought to be among the leading contenders to take charge at Rovers when Souness eventually got the job four and a half years ago.

Now the former Sunderland and Leeds United chief is being linked with the post again, and one national newspaper even went as far as naming him as the top name on Rovers' short-list today, but my understanding is there are other names ahead of him in the pecking order and Rovers would only turn to Reid if they failed to get any of those targets.