BRETT Emerton's future as a Blackburn Rovers player should be resolved later this week.

Rovers officials held further talks with Emerton's agent yesterday, and they remain hopeful the Australian will put pen to paper on a new deal at some point in the next few days.

"Our position on Brett has been clear since the start of the World Cup," said Rovers chairman John Williams today.

"We've offered Brett a new contract and I'm currently speaking to his agent about that contract.

"I assume from the fact we are talking about new contracts that there is an intention on Brett's part to stay here."

Although Emerton struggled to pin down a regular starting place at times last season, manager Mark Hughes still sees him as part of his plans for the future, hence the decision to open talks on a new contract.

However, if Emerton were to indicate that he wasn't prepared to accept the deal on the table then Hughes would look to sell him to the highest bidder, rather than run the risk of losing him for nothing in 12 months time, when his existing contract is due to expire.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate remains a firm admirer of the former Feyenoord star and he has already tried and failed to sign him with a bid of £800,000 last week.

The Boro boss may now consider making a second offer if Emerton decides not to extend his stay at Ewood.