NATHAN Blake completed a shock £4.25 million move from Bolton to Blackburn Rovers today, in the wake of Dion Dublin's decision to turn down an Ewood transfer.

Rovers moved swiftly for Blake as soon as they got the thumbs down from Dublin and both the fee and personal terms were agreed late last night.

The player passed medicals this morning and was registered with the FA in time to be available for tomorrow's game at Wimbledon.

Rovers will initially pay £3.75 million, with more payments for 25 and 50 appearances for the Welsh international striker, taking the total fee to £4.25 million.

They have beaten several clubs to his signature, notably Wimbledon, Southampton and Coventry, who wanted him as a replacement for Dublin!

Blake, 26, has scored more than 100 League goals in just over 300 games for Cardiff, Sheffield United and Bolton.

Last season he scored 12 in the Premiership, despite relegation.

Bolton boss Colin Todd said: "I always knew Blackburn were going to be involved if the Dublin deal fell through."

Ewood chief executive John Williams said: "It says something about how streamlined the club is and Jack Walker's quick decision making that we were able to move so quickly. Roy and his team had also done their homework.

"I think we were probably caught up in a dispute between club and player with Dublin but we needed to have an answer. "And it is better to find out as soon as possible if a player is perhaps not fully committed to joining you."

Dublin's decision was first revealed by his representative Struan Marshall on BBC Radio Five last night.

Marshall criticised Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson's claims that he was "hawking" his player around the Premiership in the hope of securing a better deal.

"Dion has decided he doesn't want to go (to Ewood) and that is where it is at."

Rovers have few injured players to check but can add Blake and possibly Dario Marcolin to their squad at Selhurst.

They will probably choose from: Flowerts, Kenna, Henchoz, Peacock, Davidson, Johnson, Sherwood, McKinlay, Duff, Sutton, Davies, Croft, Dailly, Blake, Marcolin.

Wimbledon will not have former Rovers trainee Gareth Ainsworth in their side. He has had talks and will consider a £2 million move from Port Vale to Selhurst over the weekend.

They have virtually a full squad to choose from: Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Perry, Blackwell, Thatcher, Earle, Roberts, Gayle, Ardley, Heald, Goodman, Leaburn, Hughes, McAllister, Kennedy, Castledine, Euell, Jupp, Clarke, Cort, Fear.

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