GRAEME Souness has ruled out a return to Rangers and maintained that his current job at Newcastle will be his last in the game.

The Magpies manager has come under increased pressure in recent weeks, with last month's catastrophic Carling Cup defeat to Wigan sandwiching a run of three league games without a win.

Only last weekend, Souness insisted he would not walk away from St James' Park despite his side's struggles, but sources in Scotland have suggested Rangers chairman David Murray could yet offer him an escape route.

Murray is expected to begin his search for a new manager later today, after finally losing patience with Alex McLeish.

The former Hibernian boss has gone ten games without a win in all competitions after last night's Champions League draw with Inter Milan - the worst run in the club's history - and Murray is ready to wield the axe despite qualifying for the knockout stages of Europe's premier cup competition.

The Gers chief remains a close friend of Souness and the Newcastle boss is sure to figure on a shortlist of possible replacements.

Souness spent five successful years at Ibrox from 1986-1991 and his appointment would appease supporters who have grown increasingly disillusioned with Celtic's recent dominance of the Scottish scene.

But, despite his admiration for the Glasgow club, the Scot insists he has no interest in rejoining them at Newcastle's expense.

"Yes I have a fondness for Rangers," said Souness, who won four league titles and four Scottish League Cups during his time at Ibrox. "But I have no interest in returning to the club."

Instead, the former Middlesbrough midfielder is turning his attention to Saturday's crunch home game with Arsenal.

Having already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League, Arsene Wenger is expected to name a weakened side for this evening's dead rubber with Ajax.

That will enable some of his biggest stars to rest ahead of their trip to Tyneside, but Souness is hoping to have two of his leading lights ready to line up against them.

Michael Owen is expected to return from his groin injury, and he could yet be joined by teenager Steven Taylor, who is also approaching full fitness following his shoulder problem.

Taylor has been sidelined since last month's 1-0 win over Birmingham and, with both Titus Bramble and Jean-Alain Boumsong showing signs of fallibility in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, his return would represent a timely boost.

"Steven could well be back as well," confirmed Souness. "We're very hopeful about him.

"He's a young boy and he's a quick healer, so it's a case of fingers crossed. But, as I've said, we're positive about it.

"It's been a difficult balancing act because I want to put out my strongest side, but I don't want to rush players back. At the moment we think both Michael and Steven should be all right for Saturday."

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