RHODES MIGHT GO

The manager of Blackburn Rovers, Gary Bowyer, has made it clear that if somebody comes to him with a high bid for the young English striker Jordan Rhodes, he might let him go.

Rhodes who is in his early twenties at the moment is being considered as an exceptional young talent. There have been speculations that he would be bought by a Premier League side pretty soon and the statement made by Bowyer suggests that these speculations might turn out to be true.

Rhodes had come through the ranks at Barnsley and then, he made a move at Ipswich Town. But, the club where he developed the most as an attacking player was Huddersfield Town. He made close to 150 appearances there and found the net regularly.

Rhodes’ Blackburn career started in August 2012. The Riversiders bought him after paying 8 million Pounds as transfer fee. He started delivering right from the word go at Ewood Park. In his debut season, he played 48 matches and struck 27 times.

The 23 years old striker has continued on his merry way this season too and has already scored quite a few goals. According to the reports, he is wanted by some top clubs.

When asked about Rhodes being linked with other clubs, Bowyer said, “Look, we are not in a mood to put him on sale. His value for us is significant, but, if we are offered an unbelievable amount to let him go, we would have to think about it quite seriously.”

Blackburn has suffered huge defeats in the last couple of games. First, they got thumped by Manchester City in the 3rd round of the FA Cup on Wednesday and then, Nottingham Forest handed them a 1-4 humiliation in a Championship game during the weekend.

RHODES MISSED OUT

The top goal-scorer of Blackburn Rovers Jordan Rhodes had to be taken out of the Scotland squad’s against USA and Norway on international friendly matches after sustaining an injury during the training session of his national squad.

It was initially suspected that he would be missing out from a number of matches with his club Blackburn Rovers but after completing scans it was later revealed that no extensive damage was made and was fit to play in the upcoming matches of his club.

“I thought at the time that I’d cracked a bone,” Blackburn’s record signing told BBC Radio Lancashire.

“Luckily enough, the things afterwards have proved otherwise and hopefully I’m on the mend now.” Injuries are part and parcel of football and life. It’s not the first and it won’t be the last. You just continue to do the best you can’’.

“I’ll try and live my life the best I can from now until I get fit, and I’ll try and get myself out on the field as soon as possible.”

The head coach of Blackburn Rovers Gary Bowyer also spoke about their current financial situation that will force him to offload player if they want to bring fresh talent from the next transfer window.

He admitted the playing squad must be trimmed in January if Blackburn are to bring down debts and avoid financial penalties but promised Jordan Rhodes, who already has 10 goals to his name, would not be sold.

Following a number of expensive but unsuccessful signings and despite having a mid-table position Bowyer admitted that the squad has to be trimmed down in January in order to cope with all the debts and financial penalties that have been given to them.

MATCH UP

Bournemouth and Blackburn Rovers will be facing each other for the first time in nine years this week, and Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has said that he is very much looking forward to the match. Back in 2004, the two sides met each other in the League cup. Bournemouth managed to stun their opposition, who were in the Premier league back then, by beating them on penalties. Howe was playing for Bournemouth back then, and he is now managing the club. He has said that he has fond memories of the game because they played extremely well.

Bournemouth and Blackburn managed a 3-3 draw and the game went into penalties. Bournemouth managed to win the match courtesy of the winning penalty from Howe after the shootout had gone into sudden death. Bournemouth had managed a 7-6 victory on penalties. Howe has said that he has always regarded the match as the best ever he had in a Bournemouth shirt. Now, he is looking to repeat the feat as a manager knowing that Blackburn are not in the best of shapes right now. Blackburn have since been relegated from the Premier league into the Championship and they are in the mid-table right now.

Gary Bowyer’s men come into this match on the back of a winless run of three matches.

“When you play well, you tend to remember it and forget the bad games. I have good memories, let’s hope we have some more on Saturday. I didn’t want to take a penalty, it was not one of my strengths, thankfully Tugay missed and that took the pressure off and I didn’t have anything to lose. It was a fantastic advert, we showed great character which was a hallmark of that 2004 team and is also a hallmark of this team,” said Howe.

OLSSON MAY STAY

Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer he wants to keep defender Martin Olsson at the club, but he has admitted that it may be extremely difficult to keep the Swedish international in the Championship. Olsson has been linked with a move away from Ewood Park ever since the relegation of the club from the Premier league. He has been linked with the likes of Norwich in the past, while there was even a time when he was linked with a move to Chelsea as well. Now, he appears ever closer to leaving Ewood Park after the club failed to secure promotion last season.

The defender, who is also capable of playing in the midfield, has not officially requested for a transfer away from the club. However, it is very well known that he is not happy at Blackburn right now. The club will also have to reduce the wage bill and selling Olsson will help them achieve it. The Swedish international has been at Blackburn since 2006. During this period, he has made 146 appearances for the club in all competitions. Given his age and talent, he has found no shortage of takers since the relegation of Blackburn from the Premier league.

“He might have ambitions to play in the Premier League, and I do understand there’s a World Cup coming up as well. Martin is still valued by ourselves. He’s a quality player and a full international. I had a good conversation with him on Friday. I said it would be up to him in terms of what he wanted to do, and if things don’t work out for him where he wants to possibly go to, he’d be welcomed back into the squad,” said the Blackburn manager. Pressure is on Bowyer to deliver the results and get the club into the top flight once again.