CHRIS Sutton handed Blackburn Rovers fans a major boost today, just as they were finally coming to terms with the £4 million departure of Ewood skipper Tim Sherwood to Tottenham Hotspur.

As Sherwood moves out, Sutton has moved in - investing in a new property in the Ribble Valley to underline his contentment with the area.

The arrival of three new strikers at the club had put doubts in the minds of supporters over Sutton's future.

But he has never given any reason for that and his action should dispel fears that he had been considering leaving.

"I have always been happy living around here, ever since I moved from Norwich," he said.

"And the only thing I am thinking about at the moment is to try to get my fitness back."

While Sutton seems settled and is one of several players considered "possibles" for a return to action at Aston Villa tomorrow, the Sherwood saga has finally ended.

And Rovers confirmed the fee was £4 million.

It came down to money, rather than the club's ambitions in the end, and chief executive John Williams said: "There were two issues with Tim. One we resolved, the other we didn't and that's it."

Sherwood said:"The writing was on the wall for me once they had accepted the offer from Tottenham, the night before I was due to have contract talks. "After I decided not to sign that final offer, Blackburn withdrew it and told me they had agreed to let me go and talk to Tottenham.

"It was a wrench to leave, people have been good to me and I have given seven years good service.

"But you have to go where you are wanted."

There was much speculation that Sherwood had taken a pay cut to join Spurs but he said: "Of course I am happy with what they have offered me or I wouldn't have accepted it. I wasn't pushed into a corner.

"Everyone's time comes to an end. When Brian Kidd came in as manager perhaps he decided it was right for me to go and when the club accept an offer for you then you've pretty well got no option but to leave."

Kidd shrugged off any inferences from Sherwood. He wants to concentrate on the players trying to get Rovers out of trouble.

"As with any player, the talks I have had with Tim in my office will stay private and confidential. But if he wants to make me an excuse for leaving that doesn't bother me. He knows the truth and I can put my head on the pillow at night and sleep," he said.

"I wish him well for the future, he never caused me any problems as a player here."

Sutton has been back in training since last week but has also been suffering slightly from a virus in the last couple of days. Another contender for a return to the squad could be Billy McKinlay (groin). It is too early for Christian Dailly (thigh) and Keith Gillespie (ankle) but he has started training again, while Nathan Blake (neck) and Damien Johnson (knee) are still out.

Kevin Gallacher faces a few more weeks on the sidelines with his calf injury.

Rovers' expected squad is: Filan, Broomes, Davidson, McAteer, Dunn, Wilcox, Jansen, Ward, Duff, Peacock, Croft, Marcolin, Davies, Sutton, McKinlay, Flowers.

Dion Dublin is expected to return to Aston Villa's side after missing the last couple of games with a groin injury.

That will enable manager John Gregory to organise a reshuffle to cover for the loss of Ugo Ehiogu (injury) and Lee Hendrie (suspension).

Their team is expected to be: Oakes, Watson, Southgate, Scimeca, Barry, Wright, Taylor, Grayson, Merson, Joachim, Dublin.

Matt Jansen has been named in the England under-21 squad to face France at Derby on Tuesday night.

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