Albion’s link with unsettled Blackburn defender Shane Duffy is set to rumble on.

But The Argus understands suggestions the Seagulls were in negotiations over the Northern Ireland centre-back yesterday are wide of the mark.

Albion have already had two bids for the player knocked back and are considering defensive options ahead of Saturday’s trip to Newcastle.

They are thought to still be interested in Duffy, pictured, who has just one year left on his Rovers contract and has rejected a new deal.

But a source in East Lancashire last night suggested it would be no surprise if the player were still at Ewood Park at the weekend.

Albion continue to be linked with Reece Burke, the highly-rated 19-year-old defender who West Ham are looking to give experience on loan having handed him a four-year deal.

The presence of an Albion representative at Gillingham’s win over Watford in the League Cup has also fuelled renewed speculation that the Kent club’s attacking star Bradley Dack could be on their radar.