Blackburn Rovers boss' strong view on Lewis Travis exit

After weeks of negotiating, the two clubs agreed a fee last week which will rise beyond £3million. Travis will complete the move to Pride Park shortly which will bring an end to the saga.

It's been a messy ending to Travis' time at Ewood Park, with the 27-year-old training away from Rovers whilst a deal was being agreed. It's a sad ending for the player who spent a decade at the club.

Ismael did not mince his words either, when asked for an update after the weekend win at Hull City. He said that the midfielder had 'let everyone down' over the last few weeks.

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"After Lewis Travis let down everyone in the last couple of weeks, we needed to adjust to manage the situation," Ismael said.

"There's some negotiation ongoing and we will see what the next week will bring.

"I'm expecting incomings and outgoings, it will be both ways. We say if someone is leaving, we want to replace. We know that in an attacking line, we need to do something.

"So you see it will be at least two positions, one for sure and another one if someone is leaving. We want to replace, to stay competitive and at the minute, we're good. 

"We managed well the players who were injured to come back but hopefully we can get some deals over the line next week."

Rovers have added to their midfield options already after signing Moussa Baradji on Friday. The midfielder has been a long-term target and Ismael is hopeful he will add goals to that department of the pitch.

"Moussa is a very talented player," Ismael explained.

"He had a lot of offers from big clubs and he made the decision to come to us. So credit on the board and the work we did very early at the end of the last season to convince him and give him the possibility to come to England.

"He's a box-to-box midfield player, very complete, actually. He's strong, very good on the ball, able to score goals. So he gives us more flexibility in our shape."