Two Inspired Substitutions
Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Blackburn Rovers
Rovers opened their new season with very mixed emotions - what could be a serious injury to Benni McCarthy and two inspired substitutions - each leading to a goal within moments. Blackburn seemed to second best in the first half and conceded after 30 minutes when Stewart Downing scored from a set piece. The second half didn't seem to see too much improvement - but then almost on the hour mark, Benni McCarthy left the game in pain with what looked like an ankle injury. His replacement was debutante Roque Santz Cruz - who had his name on the scoresheet three minutes later. A David Bentley cross - headed home by the new boy. 1-1 and Rovers seemed to find some form. With 77 minutes on the clock Mark Hughes made his second substitution, this time Jason Roberts replaced by Matt Derbyshire. Within a minute he too had found the back of the net from 18 yards out. Rovers had come from behind and despite having to hang on for 6 minutes of injury time, at last won a first game of the season! Middlebrough have now last half a dozen on the bounce to Blackburn - and the visitors can chalk up three point. (11th August 2007)
There seems to be better news on Benni - with Mark Hughes telling BBC sport that he believed the striker will be fine. "We got word when we were in the dressing room that Benni is OK. There was a concern when he went off - after the initial impact he was able just to walk off and then he passed out. There was genuine concern at seeing a player being taken off on a stretcher with his neck in a brace."
goal0708 (all the goals all season) ALSO t&t0708 (all the stats) PLUS bbc.co.uk (report) ALSO rovers.co.uk (reaction)

News Season ready to kick off ...
Middlesbrough v Blackburn 15:00
Blackburn start their new campaign at The Riverside ... where did the summer go!
Captain Ryan Nelson told reporters "A good start is very important and we've not had that in the past. We haven't put points on the board early, we've always taken until Christmas before we've caught up and started to kick on. But this season we are motivated to put that right and start well."
There's live commentary with Neil and Alan via rovers.co.uk (subscription needed) and then every game home and away all season. Post match reaction and details here later.
(11th August 2007)

And good-bye Joe
Garner for Carlisle United
Blackburn Rovers have said good-bye to young star striker Joe Garner. The Blackburn born youngster has signed a three year deal at the Cumbrian side. Joe spent 4 months on loan there last season, and scored 5 times in 18 outings.
It's always sad to see a local lad leave - but Rovers will benefit from any sell on from Carlisle who paid £140K to buy the player - a club record. Joe didn't make any first-team appearances at Rovers, but scored eight times in 10 reserve matches. We wish him good luck for the future. (10th August 2007)
rovers.co.uk (full story) ALSO rovers.co.uk (stats) AND bbc.co.uk

Jeffers heads to Sheffield
Wednesday - sign Rovers striker
BBC Sport report that Sheffield Wednesday have completed the signing of Francis Jeffers on a three year contract for an undisclosed fee. The former Everton, Arsenal and Charlton player had been expected to join Ipswich - but the deal fell through in July. Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk "I feel Franny needs to go somewhere else to start playing football again." Franny got injured while trying to break into the first team squad, and Hughes added " ...then Matt Derbyshire came to the fore and he found it very difficult once Jason Roberts came back into consideration. I'm sure he'll be a great success playing week-in week-out, because he's a quality player."
Meanwhile - the Owls boss Brian Laws said: "I believe he can be a regular scorer with us in the Championship. "We've been looking for a top-quality striker and certainly have that now."
Good Luck Franny - and thanks (9th August 2007)
rovers.co.uk AND bbc.co.uk

Domination at Deepdale
Preston North End 0 - Blackburn Rovers 3
Rovers final friendly had a happy ending - with a decisive 3-0 win of near neighbors PNE. After disappointment at Huddersfield, Blackburn were much more of their old selves as the gave the Championship side a hard time. And it only took 1 minute before Andre Ooijer put away a David Bentley centre to open the scoring. Rovers dominated play but were still only 1-0 up at the break. Then Chris Samba headed home his first of two in 7 minutes to complete a satisfactory afternoon and a round of the pre-saeson activities.
New boy Roque Santa Cruz got the last 30 minutes - and almost scored with a header that went wide. Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk "It was excellent, it was exactly what I wanted from the game today. We are seven days away from the start of the Premiership and if you are going to get results in the Premier League you need a good base. Today we showed we have a real defensive solidity to our play at the moment and that is what we need to take into the Premier League next week. "
And Preston Manager Paul Simpson told their website that they were simply "outclassed". He said;- "We passed the ball well, got behind them a few times and got six or seven crosses in but without ever really looking like getting a goal. We were just outclassed by a Premiership side really. "
All three goals came from set pieces - something Rovers failed to have much success with last term .. and perhaps the wide men could have a great season putting the ball in the box where it's needed. (4th august 2007)
rovers.co.uk (report) AND rovers.co.uk (reaction) ALSO pre0708 ALSO pnefc.co.uk (reaction)

rovers.co.uk (more) AND bbc.co.uk (full draw) PLUS wikipedia.org (more on MyPa)

Roberts 90th minute consolation goal
Huddersfield Town 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
Rovers seem to love the scoreline 2-1 ... all three pre-season friendlies (so far) have ended up that way! They opened the summer with a 2-1 win at Wrexham, and have lost with the same score both at Arminia and tonight at Huddersfield. Luke Becket found the net for Town in each half, on 40, and 79 minutes - and Rovers seemed to fail to take their chances. Morten Gamst Pedersen had a 'miss of the season' according to commentary, and it was Jason Roberts who came to the rescue as full time approached with a late consolation goal.
Roque Santa Cruz traveled with the team, but watched from the sidelines. Next up it's a derby at Deepdale, when Blackburn play PNE on Saturday - Cruz could figure then. (1st August 2007)
rovers.co.uk (report) ALSO pre0708 (pre-season details)

Roque Santa Cruz - Ewood Welcome

New signing attends 'media event' The fans turned out at Ewood Park on a beautiful sunny afternoon to give Rovers new signing a warm Lancashire welcome. The club opened the Jack Walker lower tear, and some 300 turned out for the event. It's now understood that Blackburn paid £3.3 million for the striker, on a four year deal, and could make his debut in the pre-season friendly at Preston on Saturday. He told reports why he'd left Bayern to make the move to Blackburn:- "It was easy, Blackburn were serious in me from the beginning and they showed me that they were really interested to have me here. That is exactly what I wanted and why I wanted to move from Bayern." (31st July 2007) Visit the clubs official website rovers.co.uk (click here) for a special 'photo montage And ... listen to Roque talking to BBC Radio Lancashire's Andy Bayes at Ewood Park (click here)

ROQUE SANTA CRUZ meets the fans at Ewood

Intertoto Cup third-round, Second leg
Blackburn Rovers 4 - FK Vetra 0 (6-0 on agg)
It was one way traffic at Ewood Park, as Rovers cruised into the second qualifying round of the Uefa Cup. Two goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen, and one a piece from Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy guaranteed Rovers place back in Europe for the second season. Just short of 12,000 fans enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine, and only waited 24'00 minutes before The Gamts opened the scoring. On 40'00 FK Vetra had Defan Miloseski sent off for a second yellow, and as a contest that was probably it. Two mins into the second half, Jason Roberts found the target, and from that point onwards Rovers dominated play. Benni made it 3 on 52 minutes - then a couple of minutes later Pedersen bagged his second. Originally credited to Chris Samba, the Norwegian later received affirmation and Man of the Match.
Hughes told reporters:- "The tie was over after the first goal. We had a good workout in the second half and I am delighted with the number of goals we scored. The key was the quality and the service into the box from wide areas. That was the difference."
And the win puts Blackburn through to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. Bizarrely it's now possible that Rovers WON'T play a 3pm Saturday fixture before Christmas! The first home tie v Aston Villa is likely to be postponed, and the Saturday match with Arsenal moved to Sunday to accommodate a midweek UEFA tie. Full details will be posted at rovers.so.uk (28th July 2007)


rovers.co.uk (full match report) ALSO bbc.co.uk (more)AND INTERTOTO0708 ALSO UEFA.Com

Roque Santa Cruz - 4 year deal
Striker signs on at Ewood Park
As expected yesterday - Blackburn Rovers have announced the signing of 25 year old Roque Santa Cruz. BBC Sports say:- The 25-year-old Paraguay international has agreed a four-year deal at Ewood Park after Rovers paid an undisclosed fee, believed to be about £3.5m.
He make the move to Blackburn from Bayern Munich, and won the Champions League, five Bundesliga titles, four German Cups and a World Club Cup winner's medal. He scored just 31 goals in 155 appearances, but brings the experience of 51 Champions League outings to Rovers.
Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk "We've got great variation, I've got Matty (Derbyshire) and Maceo (Rigters) with great pace and enthusiasm, Benni (McCarthy) with his goalscoring ability, Jason (Roberts) with his power and his pace, but what we haven't had is probably a real threat in the air and that is what we have addressed. He's a young player, he's only 25, a current international, he has a good reputation and he comes from a top European club." (28th July 2007)

bbc.co.uk (update) ALSO rovers.co.uk (full story)

Roque Santa Cruz to sign??
Rovers hint at next big name
Mark Hughes told reporters today that the Beyern Munich player could put pen to paper this weekend:- "Maybe in the next 24 hours a deal could be done." Said Hughes "He is a young player, an international with a good reputation playing at a top European club. We've had some positive indications from his people and hopefully something will happen." The problem is - that if another striker comes IN - one is likely to go OUT.
He's expected to cost around £4.5 million.

Santa Cruz is just 25, and joining Olimpia Asunción at the age of 9, and made professional debut for the first team in 1998, at the age of sixteen. Roque's club performance led Olimpia Asunción to a Paraguayan championship in 1998 and 1999, and the winning of the Paraguayan Footballer of the Year award.

Wikipedia.org say that "Because of his excellent performances with Olimpia and the Paraguay national football team, Roque signed for Bayern Munich in the second half of 1999. Santa Cruz has been unexceptional at Bayern Munich - although he scored five goals in his first season with the club, a series of injuries and heavy competition at forward for the German giants has limited his impact."

With Rovers in action at Ewood in the Intertoto cup tomorrow afternoon - there's a chance to make an announcement to the fans before or after the game. You can follow all the 3rd Round 2nd leg action v FK Vetra 'live' on RADIO ROVERS from 14:00. Broadcasting ON 1404 kHz AM in Blackburn, and worldwide via rovers.co.uk

bbc.co.uk (full story) ALSO wikipedia.org (full profile) SEE action on YouTube - Paraguay 5-0 Colombia - Copa America 2007)

Gray signs for Wolves
Mick McCarthy reunited with Michael
Released at the end of last season, former Rovers and Sunderland defender Michael Gray has signed a new twelve month deal with Woverhampton. Gray told reporters Mick McCarthy is a big part of me wanting to come here. "He is one of the most honest guys you could ever wish to meet." Talking to the club website - he told their fans "As soon as I'd finished at Blackburn he was the first to call me up about my situation and he asked me to keep him informed. It's nice to hear from a manager who really wants you and when he calls and tells you that then you know it's there for you."
Good Luck Michael (25th July 2007)
wolves.co.uk (full story) ALSO bbc.co.uk

Intertoto Cup third-round, first leg
FK Vetra 0 - Blackburn Rovers 2
Goals in each half from Benni McCarthy and sub Matt Derbyshire saw Rovers bring a 2-0 lead back to Ewood from Lithuania. And despite Blackburn never really finding top form, they return with a clean sheet and 2 away goals. The first came against the run of play on the half hour, when Benni connected with a Morten Gamst Pedersen cross to find the target from just 6 yards out. Rovers second was courtesy of a great 25 yard shot from Matt Derbyshire, which the Vetra keeper could only help into the net. Blackburn fielded a full strength squad with Mark Hughes promising not to underestimate the Lithuanian side. Unlike Blackburn, Vetra have already notched up 20 games in their new season - Rovers are still in pre-season with just two matches prior to this Intertoto test.
Rovers team:
Friedel, Ooijer, Warnock, Samba, Tugay (sub Mokoena 46 mins), Nelsen, Savage, McCarthy (sub Rigters 65 mins), Bentley (sub Derbyshire 65 mins), Pedersen, Roberts. Subs not used: Brown (GK), Henchoz, Dunn, Berner. (16th July 2007)
rovers.co.uk (full report) ALSO bbc.co.uk AND INTERTOTO0708

Intertoto dates & times confirmed
Blackburn Rovers v FK Vetra
Rovers have confirmed details of their home & away legs of the Intertoto Cup match against FK Vetra.
They'll be at the Vetra Stadium in Vilnius on Sunday 22nd July with a local-time kick-off of 19.00hrs (17.00 hrs BST)
Rovers get just 300 tickets for this game, priced at just £5.

The home leg will be at Ewood on Saturday July 28th with a 15.00 hrs kick off with great value prices once again ...
£ 5.00: Adult Season Ticket Holders £ 5.00: Senior Citizens £ 5.00: Young Adult Season Ticket Holders
£10.00: Adults Non Season Ticket Holders £ 1.00: Juniors (16th July 2007)
AWAY GAME LIVE ON SETANTA

Ooijer scores from free kick
But Rovers lose 2-1 at Arminia Bielefeld
Rovers.co.uk report that Blackburn suffered a defeat at the hands of Arminia Bielefeld in sweltering conditions in Germany this evening. With temperatures in the high thirties, Rovers started brightly in Heimstetten, taking a third minute lead through Andre Ooijer, but the Bundesliga side levelled on the half hour and then added a second midway through the second period. It was a tough going in the hot conditions, but with similar temperatures expected next weekend in Lithuanian, it could prove to be the perfect preparation for Mark Hughes' squad. (15th July 2007)
rovers.co.uk (Full Report)

Rovers to face Vetra in the Intertoto Cup
Legia Warsaw thrown out of the competition
Following the dreadful scenes on Sunday when Polish fans staged a riot - their club (Legia Warsaw) have now been ejected from the Intertoto competition. UEFA decided not only to award Vetra with the Blackburn tie, but Warsaw were also banned from European competition for the 2008-09 season.
Rovers will travel to Vilnius on 21 or 22 July for the first leg, with the return taking place the following week at Ewood Park. (11th July 2007)
rovers.co.uk (full details) ALSO bbc.co.uk (more)

Roberts & Savage score pre-season goal
Blackburn beat Wrexham 2-1 at the Racecourse Ground
Almost exactly a year ago, Jason Roberts opened the scoring for his new club - Blackburn - with the first pre-season friendly goal at Accrington Stanley. This Summer he did it again with a strike on 27 minutes at Wrexham, followed up by a spot kick from Robbie Savage. Savage of course making his first appearance since last season's operation. There was also a debut fro new boy Maceo Rigters.
Follow all the pre-season games at pre0708 (click here) on this site - and visit rovers.co.uk for the full match report (11th July 2007)

Bellamy off to West Ham
Rovers look to miss out on re-signing striker
BBC Sport report that Craig Bellamy has not yet signed, but West Ham have agreed a fee with Liverpool for the ex Rovers striker. The BBC say "West Ham have confirmed they have agreed terms with Liverpool on a £7.5m deal to sign Craig Bellamy but have denied the move has been completed. Earlier, Reds boss Rafa Benitez said the Welsh international had completed a move to Upton Park. "West Ham would like to make it clear that Craig Bellamy has not yet completed a move to Upton Park. "The deal has been delayed due to a private contractual issue between Craig Bellamy and Liverpool."
It was thought that Mark Hughes hoped to bring Bellamy back to Ewood - but the club seem to have missed out this time. (8th July 2007)
bbc.co.uk

Bellmy makes his move
BBC Sport confirm that West Ham have completed the signing of striker Craig Bellamy from Liverpool for a club record £7.5m (10th July 2007)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

Todd moves to Derby
Rovers defender gets a two year deal
derbycounty-co.uk say that Derby County have completed the signing of Andy Todd from Blackburn Rovers. He is of course son of Colin Todd - former Rams legend, and was born in Derby. The site say "He is said to be delighted to have signed for Derby. The versatile player can play at Centre back or move up to midfield if necessary and was wanted by Rams Premiership rivals Birmingham City and Sunderland as well as Championship side West Bromwich Albion. The fee involved is unclear at this moment in time but Todd has been given a two year deal with Derby taking him up to the 2009 season." At the time of writing, there's no confirmation form Rovers - but wish him good luck (8th July 2007)
derbycounty-mad.co.uk

Ryan makes it five more years
Skipper signs new deal 'till 2012
Blackburn Rovers centre back and captain Ryan Nelsen has signed a new 5 year contract at Ewood Park. rovers.co.uk say that it will keep him in Lancashire until 2012, and Manager Mark Hughes says "I'm delighted for the club and for Ryan. He's my captain and will be very influential in helping to shape the progress of the club."
Ryan joined Blackburn from DC United on a free in January 2005, and missed half of last season with a hamstring injury, returning in January of this year. Chairman John Williams said: "Ryan is a top man on and off the field. The positive impact of this deal cannot be underestimated." (5th July 2007)
rovers.co.uk AND bbc.co.uk

Rovers reject Roberts bid
Fulham thought to have offered £2.5 million
Back in training at Brockhall - despite some media reports - Benni McCarthy was seen along side Jason Roberts who seems to have been the victim of a bid from Fulham. SKY Sports say Blackburn rejected the bid 'out of hand' "as they look to keep hold of Roberts after he impressed at the back end of last term."
As if to make the point that neither striker was going anywhere, rovers.co.uk offers a picture special and said:- "Mark Hughes welcomed his players back to Brockhall for the first day of pre-season training on Monday. The full senior squad of Rovers stars began their summer conditioning work on the freshly laid pitches at the senior training ground, where they will spend the next few days building up their fitness levels before the opening pre-season friendly away to Wrexham on Tuesday July 10."
And we've not had any summer yet! (4th July 2007)
skysports.com (Roberts) ALL rovers.co.uk (back in training) ALSO rovers.co.uk (picture special)

Two new Summer signings - Rigters and Nielsen
One up front and one at the back!
Rovers have made their first two signings of the Summer - and trumped Celtic to capture Dutch Under 21 forward Maceo Rigters from NAC Breda + young Faroe Island keeper Gunnar Nielsen.
The 20 year old was first to sign following a trail at Brockhall last season, & he's moved from the Danish 2nd division to join Rovers in the Premiership. He told RoversWorld how impressed he is with everything that Blackburn have on offer."It is a great opportunity, I'm really looking forward to it. I'm glad that the manager and staff believe in me, I won't let them down."
But (with due respect to Gunnar) the signature that will grab the headlines is that of striker Maceo Rigters. The 23-year-old had been linked with a range of British clubs including Celtic, Rangers, Newcastle and Norwich City. The Dutch under 21 star has agreed a four-year deal with Blackburn. Rovers.co.uk say he's "A product of the famous Ajax Youth Academy, & made his senior debut for SC Heerenveen, but it was his eight goals in seventeen games at FC Dordrecht that brought him to the attention of the top Dutch clubs and in 2004/05 he moved to NAC Breda."
Vital Football say "This is another good coup for the Rovers as the fee is believed to be less than £1 million... he already looks a bargain!" (2nd July 2007)

rovers.co.uk (Rigters) ALSO rovers.co.uk (Nielsen) ALSO bbc.co.uk (Rigters) AND Vital Football

Todd off ...
Rovers prepared for defenders departure
BBC Sport report that Andy Todd will be allowed to leave the club this Summer. They say that Andy and Manager Mark Hughes have had talks, and subject to an appropriate offer (he still has a year left on his contract) the club will be happy to let him move on. He only made 13 appearances for Rovers last season, and is now 32. He's already had a number of loan deals - but Blackburn wanted to hold on to their man in the past - now it seems all parties agree it's time to move on. BBC Sport quote Todd's agent Peter Harrison:- "I don't think there have been any concrete offers for Andy as of yet but he isn't in the country at the moment. "We'll see what happens over the next few days but I would definitely expect developments within two weeks. Right now, Andy is at the stage where he needs to be playing regular first-team football and hopefully we can sort that out." (24th June 2007)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

Investment Update
American-based businessman in the frame
SKY Sports believe that Daniel Williams is looking to 'seal a deal' for Blackburn Rovers. They say that Although based in the USA, he's from Lancashire and is keen to land Rovers 'in a £50million deal'.
Blackburn Citizen also has news of Mr William's interests - they say " ...Williams seems to be a serious player, and the fact he is a boyhood Rovers fan, who originally hails from Lytham St Annes, will win the approval of the club's supporters. Williams is reported to be the brains behind American-based Nuttall Investments, a company he named after the street which runs by Ewood Park."
The Citizen continues "... Williams is said to be selling his investment groups to raise the cash and fulfill his dream of owning his favourite team. The New Jersey-based entrepreneur is also thought to have enlisted the help of Hubert, a former director at Rovers during the 1960s and 1970s, as part of his bid to buy Rovers. "
NUTTALL Investments, New JERSEY - sounds like a mcth made in heaven! (18th June 2007)
SKYSPORTS.com ALSO BlackburnCitizen.co.uk

Jose respects Rovers wishes
Chelsea boss knows Benni's not for sale
Soccerway.com quote Jose Mourinho in The Sun admitting that he'd love to work again with Rovers goal star Benni McCarthy - but that Blackburn don't want to sell the striker. They say that although Mourinho is keen to strengthen his squad, Rovers bargain buy will not be an acquisition "I could tell that he wanted to play for me again because we had a wonderful time together. But Blackburn said he was not for sale and you have to respect that."
The two were together at Porto and the Chelsea boss says "Benni had a great first season. He quickly settled into the English game. He is the kind of striker every coach wants and I am no exception. I've worked with him successfully in the past at FC Porto. I do like Benni. I saw the possibility of us reuniting at Chelsea but he has a contract." (18th June 2007)
soccerway.com (full story)

Derbs does it for England
Super sub Matt secures semi-final place
England Under 21's took on Serbia in Holland - and at last the game gave Rovers star Matt Derbyshire a chance to show what he's made of. Within minutes of coming off the bench, he'd crossed a ball in to the box which should have led to an England goal. Then moments later the young striker ran in a superb finish to make it 2-0. Controversy followed as the Serbian players believed Matt should have stopped his run when one of their players went down. Derbyshire told reporters that "you play on 'till the ref blows - and he didn't". As a result the young English lads are in the last four, and Matt's remarkable year continues. (17th June 2007)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

Rovers start and end the news season away
Premiership Fixtures published
The new season launches on Saturday August 11th, and for Rovers it will sees a trip to the North East and Middlesbrough. But already there may be a need to move the first scheduled home game - Aston Villa on August 15th. Rovers could well be in Intertoto action that week - so changes may be needed. Christmas should see Chelsea at Ewood on December 22nd, and newly promoted Sunderland here on New Years day.
The season should end with Derby County at Blackburn on May 3rd and away to Birmingham City on May 11th 2008.
Both SKY and Setanta Sport share Premiership 'live' games next season - so expect plenty of changes!
The fill initial fixture list is available on both the BBC and Rovers website (see links below)
bbc.co.uk PLUS rovers.co.uk

Pre-Season and New-Season fixture
Season 2007-8
Blackburn Rovers have announced some of their pre-season matches and this Thursday sees the publication of the official fixtures for the new season.
Matches already penciled in are:-
Tuesday, 10 July 2007 - Wrexham v Blackburn
Sunday, 15 July 2007 - Arminia Bielefeld v Blackburn
Wednesday, 01 August 2007 19:45 - Huddersfield v Blackburn
Saturday, 04 August 2007 15:00 - Preston v Blackburn
Plus of course there's the Intertoto before the new term launches.

Click HERE to visit bbc.co.uk/sport for the full fixture list from 10:00 am Thursday 14th June 2007

U$A for ROVER$ ??
Possible American investor at Ewood Park
BBC Sport report confirmation from John Williams that a US investor is in talks with Blackburn Rovers. The Beeb quote Mr. Williams who gave an extensive interview to BBC Radio Lancaster this week. "We're willing sellers in discussions with third parties and those discussions have naturally progressed over a period of time... We've made some progress with a third party but it is very difficult because of all of the formalities involved... At present there is nothing else of particular significance to report."
The Americans seem to have taken a shine to British game of soccer of last with two other North West clubs already 'Yanked' out of English hands - Man U and Liverpool. But of course the Walker family and Trustees would have a big say in whatever happened. Certainly a big investment would allow Rovers to continue in their quest for a top 4 finish and - who knows - another title. (13th June 2007)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

Beatie Rovers Return ???
Could another Rovers return to his roots?
mirror.co.uk say that former Blackburn player James Beatie wants to comeback to his boyhood club, and hints at a - possible "swap deal" with Jason Roberts. They claim that he's "disillusioned at Everton after spending much of last season on the bench."
Everton paid Southampton a club record £6million two years ago, but Beatie feels he has not been given a fair chance under David Moyes. James left Ewood Park in 1998 to join Southampton, and for a number of seasons was their top scorer. Expectations were that he'd have more success at Everton which also gave the local lad a chance to move back to the North West. (10th June 2007)
mirror.co.uk (full story)

Bentley decides to come home ...
Blackburn star quits England Under 21 camp
Rovers.co.uk report that David Bentley has withdrawn from the Under 21 squad preparing in Holland. The player is said to be suffering from fatigue. The decision didn't go down well with boss Stuart Pearce who told SKY Sports News "I had an inkling when Mark Hughes spoke to me on Wednesday and said he wanted to pull the boy out, but I said 'no' as I didn't find that acceptable. Then I spoke with David and he said to me on the back of a long season - and possible burn-out next season - that he would like to pull himself out of the tournament. I tried to say to him and explain the situation, 'Where does that leave you next summer if you get in the full squad and have a full season? 'Do you say then you would be fatigued for the next season.'
But Mark Hughes seemed to back his player, telling the club website "Although he takes representing his country very seriously indeed, David has barely had time to catch breath over the past 10 months and he clearly needs a rest. Having spoken to him and heard how tired he feels, I don't think he would do himself justice by taking part in the trip. If England were to reach the final of the competition it would mean David having just six days holiday between the two seasons and that would be an unsatisfactory situation for everyone involved." (8th June 2007)
rovers.co.uk (Mark Hughes) ALSO skysports.com (Stuart Pearce)

Bentley comments on pull out
David Bentley has been talking to TalkSport about his decision ... and said "I spoke to Steve McClaren man to man and he recommended I play. But it was my decision. I have to think what my body is telling me. It wasn't a rash decision, but I didn't want to be a yes-man. ... If you want to be firing and make a push for the European Championship next year then you have got to think log and hard about it. It was a two-week decision." (10th June 2007)
eatsleepsport.com (full story)

No Go Gamst ...
or anyone else for that matter - says Chairman
Blackburn Rovers Chairman John Williams is widely quoted as scotching rumours of the departure this Summer of Morten Gamst Pedersen - or anyone else! He told reporters "I've told Mark Hughes that he doesn't need to sell anyone this summer. Morten has three years on his contract at Ewood Park. It's as simple as that."
Websites and papers have linked Gamst with a move away ever since he started to be a regular in the first team. The better his form, the bigger the clubs linked with the Norwegian. Everytime the transfer window opens, the best players get linked with a host of top clubs - that's football. But at least this time, with more money due next season from TV rights , the necessity to sell should be diminished. Rovers also seem to have all their key players under decent length contracts - but still expect to read many more rumours until this window closes! (5th June 2007)

Ipswich switch for Jeffers?
Improved bid offered
BBC Sport quote the Ipswtch Town website claiming that the club have tabled an improved offer to buy Francis Jeffers. Since his loan deal last season, Town seemed very keen to make their move, and have already had a £350K bid turned down by Rovers. Chairman David Sheepshanks told the website: "We have been in contact with Blackburn and made a second offer for Franny." Despite hopes that Franny would rediscover former glories, his move to Ewood didn't provide the opportunities hoped for, and after the loan (interrupted by injury) he made it clear that hew was keen on a permanent move to Portman (1st June 2007)
bbc.co.uk (full Story)

Fade to Gray ..
Times up for Rovers defender
It's emerged that Blackburn will not offer Michael Gray a new contract when his current one runs out at the end of June. The former Sunderland man was brought in by Graeme Souness, and went to Leeds United on loan earlier this year. SKY Sports say that his last match was his 73rd appearance for Rovers, "...came in the team's 6-2 defeat at Arsenal in December."
We wish him well. (31st May 2007)
skysports.com (full story)