BLACKBURN Rovers patience over Tottenham Hotspur's media-led chase for captain Tim Sherwood has finally snapped with a complaint to the White Hart Lane club.

Blackburn chief executive John Williams said they are sick and tired of the "constant rumour-mongering" surrounding Sherwood and have made their feelings known to Spurs. The latest national tabloid newspaper story suggests that Sherwood will be able to leave Ewood Park if the beleaguered London club increase their offer to £5 million, after having a bid of £3.5 million firmly rejected by Rovers.

But Williams insisted today: "I don't know how many times we have to say he's not for sale. He has four years left on his contract."

Blackburn have been incensed over a number of supposed transfer stories this season with manager Roy Hodgson previously hitting out over speculation concerning Kevin Gallacher and Martin Dahlin.

He even went as far as contacting the Scottish and Swedish Football Associations to say that all talk about the pair being unsettled was unfounded.

Both strikers missed out at the start of the season to new signing Kevin Davies, but Gallacher returned to the starting line-up with the winner against Leicester City last Saturday and accepts that patience may be a virtue this season.

He said: "I played 84 minutes last week and felt I could have gone a full game but the manager wanted to give someone else a chance.

"I am feeling sharp but know I might have to bide my time at Blackburn as it is a squad game now."

Gallacher is also anxious to re-establish himself at international level after undergoing a double hernia operation and cannot wait to start against Lithuania in Scotland's opening European Championship qualifier tomorrow.

"It is good to be back with the Scotland lads and I am really looking forward to the opening match.

"There is a big carrot in front of us in qualifying for the finals in two years.

"A win here would set us up nicely as we have two home games to come (Estonia and Faroe Islands)."

With his regular Scotland partner Gordon Durie ruled out with an ankle injury, much of the burden in Zingaris stadium will fall on his shoulders.

Gallacher's Rovers' team-mate Damian Duff is set for a starting role when the Republic of Ireland launch their campaign at home to World Cup semi-finalists Croatia tomorrow.

And Rovers' youngster David Worrell will captain the Republic's under-21 side against the Croatians at Kilkenny's Buckley Park tonight.

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