As the Seasiders were left waiting to discuss personal terms with the Rangers midfielder, fans have grown anxious that their loan hero could be tempted by a rival club who match Pool's £500,000 bid.

Preston manager Alan Irvine is a known admirer of his fellow Scot but the player's agent Kenny Moyes said: "We have nothing with Preston at the moment.

"Charlie met with (Rangers boss) Walter Smith on Wednesday afternoon and we are going to make a decision which is best for his future."

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway hopes to hold talks with the 23-year-old today.

Adam wants to remain in Scotland and add to his 89 appearances for the champions, but the Ibrox club need to trim their wage bill and accepted Pool's improved offer on Monday.

As for the Seasiders' other transfer saga, Derby County are confident that a third bid will succeed in prising Shaun Barker from Bloomfield Road.

Pool's Championship rivals have failed with offers of £400,000 and £500,000 for the 26-year-old defender, with chairman Karl Oyston believed to be holding out for at least £700,000.

Rams boss Nigel Clough confirmed: "He remains one of our top targets and we are pursuing it at the moment. Centre-half is not an easy position to fill."

Nottingham Forest are also thought to have tabled a bid for Barker, who joined Pool three seasons ago from Rotherham and has a year remaining on his contract.

Holloway has praised Barker's attitude in training but sounds resigned to losing him.