Blackburn trialist Robbie Fowler has turned down the offer of a pay-as-you-play deal with the club as he holds out for a permanent contract.
The 33-year-old striker has been training with Rovers this summer following his release by Cardiff.
His former Liverpool and England team-mate Paul Ince is now in charge at Ewood Park and had hoped to utilise the veteran forward this season.
However, Fowler is holding out for a longer contract that the one currently on offer and will miss the opportunity to prove his fitness in a Carling Cup clash against Grimsby on Wednesday.
"The situation with Robbie is still up in the air, so he won't be involved against Grimsby," said Ince.
"These things do take time, especially when the agent gets involved.
"I'm not unsure about Robbie, I'm just unsure as to when it will get done.
"There is no deadline, though, because he is a free agent and not tied down to the transfer window."
While being forced to accept that Fowler will play no part against the Mariners, Ince will still use the game to rest a number of his first-team regulars.
"Andre Ooijer and Roque Santa Cruz played 90 minutes for their national teams last week and again against Hull at the weekend.
"I'm not happy about that and I'll be speaking to their international managers about it, but they will need a break."
