Roberts backs the Rovers young guns (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Roberts backs the Rovers young guns

8:58am Friday 27th January 2012 in News By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter

JASON Roberts has backed Blackburn Rovers’ young guns to win their Premier League relegation scrap after insisting they have the character to overcome “the challenges ahead”.

The veteran striker ended his five-and-a-half year Rovers spell by signing an 18-month deal with Championship Reading yesterday but immediately tipped his former team mates to salvage the club’s top flight status.

With Roberts now off the wage bill, Swiss international right back Scott Sutter is due in Blackburn today to start talks about a move from Young Boys of Bern as boss Steve Kean looks for reinforcements on a severely limited budget.

The 25-year-old Enfield-born defender is available for a nominal fee and, having left his club’s winter training camp in Spain, is expected to seal a move to Rovers, who are currently sitting in the drop zone.

Roberts said: “With the incredible young talent Blackburn Rovers have got at the moment, I fully believe they will be able to keep the club in the Premier League.

“A lot of people have questioned my positivity over the past 12 months, but I look at the kids and know they have the mental strength and ability to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

“They deserve every success they get. I have worked closely with these lads and they have shown over the past few months what big careers they have ahead.

“I absolutely believe they can win the battle ahead and more importantly they believe it too. They are a good bunch of boys and I wish them all the best.”

The 34-year-old declined to comment on the ‘contractual issues’ that had seen him frozen out of first team affairs for much of the season or on the manner in which Venky’s are running the football club.

He preferred to focus on the ‘good times’, having made more than 150 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals, and insists he will always have fond memories of the Ewood outfit.

He said: “Obviously over the last few days I have been very much focused on my new club and sorting the deal out. It is only now I start reflecting on the fantastic memories I had at Blackburn Rovers.

“I have had so many messages on twitter and on the phone from the fans, staff and players and it is all a bit emotional. Five and a half years is a long time and this club will always hold a special place in my heart.

“It is now I’m thinking back to the goals I have scored, the situations we have been in and the friends I have made. It is all fairly emotional just thinking about it all now.

“It is going to be strange playing for someone else but I am looking forward to the new challenge. Reading is a great club and I am looking forward to being a part of this.”

Meanwhile Rovers are still trying to sort out a deal to offload Keith Andrews and Michel Salgado as they look for further fresh faces before the close of the transfer window on Tuesday.