Source: Daily_Mail
It's all Rover: Allardyce accepts Blackburn will lose Warnock to Villa
Stephen Warnock
Villa-bound: Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has resigned himself to losing defender Stephen
Warnockto Aston Villa but insists the player will not be allowed to leave Ewood Park on the cheap.
The left-back was dropped for Saturday's defeat to Sunderland after Allardyce revealed Warnock had been distracted by a bid from Aston Villa.
However, the offer did not match Rovers' valuation and chairman John Williams will drive a hard bargain to ensure the club get what they feel is the right price for the 27-year-old.
Ironically, the former Liverpool defender has been included in the squad for tomorrow's Carling Cup second round tie at Gillingham because of a growing injury list at Blackburn.
'There is no acceptable bid as yet from Aston Villa so he is still a Blackburn player and I need him to travel with the squad tomorrow - at the moment,' said Allardyce.
'Whether that changes or not will be another story between now and the next 24-48 hours. We are obviously sat in a very delicate position at the moment.
'Obviously what happens in the next few days will go on what negotiations go on between John Williams and Aston Villa.'
Allardyce admitted Warnock's head had been turned by Villa's offer and says it is likely to happen before the end of the transfer window.
'It is obvious he would like to move to a club of that size without me trying to cover it up,' he said.
'The problem is we want the value we think Stephen is worth and that is the most important thing from my and this club's point of view.
'I don't think the value is beyond reasonable. If Aston Villa get to where we are going it looks like we might have to lose him.
'I don't want to but as much as I want to keep him it doesn't look like that is going to be the case.'
