Blackburn Rovers: We won't be bullied by Samba (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn Rovers: We won't be bullied by Samba

9:40am Saturday 28th January 2012 in Sport By Andy Cryer , Blackburn Rovers reporter

BLACKBURN Rovers are prepared to give want-away skipper Chris Samba the Carlos Tevez treatment after refusing to let the giant defender force his way out of Ewood Park.

Having already had a transfer request rejected, Samba has upped the pressure on his employers by insisting it “will be very difficult” for him to play for Rovers again due to him not being “100 per cent” for the club any more.

Samba has already missed three games this month since stating his desire to quit Rovers and, as he continues to make waves, is unlikely to be involved in Wednesday’s crucial Premier League visit of Newcastle United.

Samba’s latest outburst, given to the Sun yesterday, has infuriated several of his team mates who feel let down by the manner in which their captain is attempting to engineer a move - less than a year after signing a bumper new deal.

Owners Venky’s will not let Samba change their stance on his future though and remain adamant the 27-year-old will not leave Ewood this month - unless someone is ready to meet their circa £12million valuation.

Relegation rivals QPR remain the only club to have formally bid for Samba this month and, with their offer yet to exceed £7m, are unlikely to get close to tempting Rovers into a sale.

Rovers remain hopeful Samba will fully commit to the cause again once the transfer window slams shut on Tuesday but, if he continues to play up, are ready to banish him to Rovers’ reserves, where he has been training.

Sources close to Venky’s have told the Lancashire Telegraph Samba’s approach has made them even less likely to buckle and, like Manchester City have done with Carlos Tevez , will play hard ball for as long as they have to.

In the interview, Samba accused Venky’s of breaking promises made to him when he signed his last deal and said the club did not meet his ambitions.

He called for a face to face meeting with the owners so that they could understand his view and pleaded with them to stop pricing him out of the market.

The interview has met with mixed reactions from supporters and former players, with some sympathising with his views and others hitting out at his words.

Meanwhile Swiss international right back Scott Sutter was at Brockhall yesterday as he looks to land his dream move to the Premier League from Young Boys of Bern.

It is understood Rovers have other options in that position, although sources close to Sutter are confident a move can be finalised.

Argentine play maker Mauro Formica’s Rovers future continues to be shrouded in uncertainty after being made ‘available for the right price’ by the club.

Greek giants Olympiakos look unlikely to meet Rovers’ £3.5million valuation for him, as Venky’s look for ways to fund Kean’s attempts to bolster his squad, with a striker, a midfielder and two full backs still on the wish list.