Ince, who is preparing for his first game as a Premier League manager away to Everton tomorrow, has had to contend with unwanted interest from City in the Paraguayan striker.

Rovers rejected a reported £12million bid for the former Bayern Munich man earlier this week, expressing their "disappointment" that City - managed by former Blackburn boss Mark Hughes - had continued their pursuit of a player they insist is not for sale at any price.

Full-back Stephen Warnock was also forced to deny reports on Wednesday that he had requested a transfer just three months after signing a new contract at Ewood Park and Ince admits the constant speculation surrounding the club has been detrimental to Rovers' preparations.

"You've seen all the stuff in the papers and I haven't got to say what the situation is," Ince said.

"Stephen Warnock has come back and said he had no intention of putting a transfer request in.

"As for Roque, he has said he wants to stay. It is silly because we're preparing for a massive game against Everton and some people seem to be creating so many issues at Blackburn which aren't there. It's not right and it's not professional.

"The players that I want to keep are not leaving this club, it's as simple as that. We have got two weeks to bring in two or three more players and once that's done we can crack on again."

Ince has already seen last season's first-choice goalkeeper Brad Friedel depart as well as England winger David Bentley to Tottenham, while reports have surfaced in the north-east today of a £9million bid from Sunderland for Benni McCarthy, although Rovers have not yet confirmed any bid.

Coupled with claims of dressing-room disharmony following Hughes' exit and Ince's arrival, it has been a tough start for the former MK Dons and Macclesfield boss.

"It's been a bit disappointing some of the press that we've had as a club, but I've enjoyed it," he said.

He is now concentrating on adding to his squad, with veteran striker Robbie Fowler - a former team-mate of Ince at Liverpool - set to be offered a short-term contract in the next few days although time is running out to sign him in time to face Everton.

"We are close to pulling something together," Ince revealed.

"I've always said that Robbie had to get his sharpness and we're now starting to see good signs of that.

"In the last three or four days in training he has been different class and I'm going to sit down with the chairman (John Williams) and see where we go from there.

"We have one or two targets who we are looking at, we're always trying to improve. This season is going to be a good season for us but also a stabilising season for us."

"We want to bring in a few players and freshen things up and if we can do that in the next two weeks or in January time then we will do."

Utility man Brett Emerton is set to be included in Ince's squad for the trip to Goodison Park. The Australian suffered a bruised foot in a pre-season game against Benfica but should be fit, as should Santa Cruz despite a recent Achilles problem.

Also available will be Ryan Nelsen after his return from Olympics duty with New Zealand, although new loan signing Carlos Villanueva is not expected to feature as he recovers from a bout of chicken pox.

"Carlos has been to Santiago to get his visa and his first day back is today, so we'll have a look at him in training," added Ince.

"It will take time for him to settle but he's certainly one to look out for."