BLACKBURN ROVERS manager Graeme Souness has stepped up his interest in Claudio Reyna by watching the Sunderland midfielder in action for the United States.

Reyna, valued at around £2m, was seen by Souness and his chief scout Terry Darracott on Saturday in America's 5-0 Gold Cup victory over Cuba.

As the Blackburn boss took time out from his club's training camp in Washington DC at the weekend, the USA captain played for 45 minutes in Foxboro.

Reyna, who turned 30 two days ago, tops Souness's wanted list as Blackburn look for a playmaker after selling David Dunn to Birmingham City.

The former Rangers man has also been linked with Manchester City, but Souness - whose club received £5.5m for Dunn - heads the queue for his services.

Reyna is one of Sunderland's most prized assets and Peter Reid had to fight off interest from abroad last summer after the player starred at the World Cup.

Now, however, Mick McCarthy could be forced to cash in on him as the Black Cats look to alleviate their £26m-plus debt.

Reyna, who has not played for his club since suffering a serious knee injury last October, is refusing to be drawn into the debate.

He said: "I haven't heard anything. I don't want to comment on speculation, or something I've read in the newspapers, which is all I know about those clubs' interest.

"I've just come back from a lengthy lay-off, so right now my main focus is on helping the US in the Gold Cup and then getting back to Sunderland.

"If anything else develops, I'll have to see what happens."

Kevin Kyle will have a scan today on a nagging knee injury he picked up in last Wednesday's friendly win at York City.

The Scotland striker is unlikely to be risked in tomorrow's game at Huddersfield Town after failing to shake off the problem.

He said: "I got a kick against York and my knee was sore, but I wanted to stay on to try to score a goal.

"I just thought it was a bit of bruising, but it's not gone away. I've got to have a scan to make sure it's not serious. I might have just twisted it, and it's an awkward pain that I don't want."

Emerson Thome is poised to have his trial at Rangers extended as manager Alex McLeish looks to test him out in their friendly with Everton this Saturday.

Thome and former Manchester United defender David May impressed on a recent tour of Germany, but McLeish is keen for them to face the Blues.

He said: "I will talk to the boys about staying on for the Everton game. I don't think there have been sufficient tests for Thome and May because the German sides don't tend to play the aerial game which is largely prevalent in Britain.

"I know that both players have coped with this in the past, but they have both had injuries and I have to be certain.

"I don't know if big Duncan Ferguson will be back in the scheme of things, but English teams always pose a threat at set-pieces.

"They are notoriously big, so I would like to see David and Emerson tested in this environment.

"The two lads have done well so far, but I would like them to remain with us and play in the Everton game."

Thome is available to leave Sunderland on a free transfer and Rangers - who need a replacement for Lorenzo Amoruso - will sign either the Brazilian or May.

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