Source: SKY_Sports
Mokoena to leave Rovers
Aaron Mokoena has confirmed that he will be leaving Blackburn at the end of the season even if they manage to avoid the drop.
The 28-year-old has started just five times in the Premier League this season and has grown frustrated at his lack of opportunities at Ewood Park.
The versatile performer came close to leaving the club in January but a loan move to Sheffield United fell apart at the last minute after he was persuaded to stay by the Rovers management.
The South African international has admitted that he will not be signing a new deal with Rovers and stated that he would use the upcoming Confederations Cup as the ideal chance to put himself in the shop window.
"I am definitely leaving Blackburn. I always want to play but I cannot change the coach's decision," he told the South African Times.
"It has been very frustrating because I could have left in January but they asked me to stay.
"I want a club where I can get enough game time. I am 28 and need to play on a regular basis."
Mokoena was handed a rare start in the 4-0 hammering at the hands of Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday, a defeat which left the club one point above the bottom three.
Despite the club's fragile league position the former Ajax man is confident they can preserve their top flight status.
But Mokoena delivered another blow to Rovers fans with the news that striker and fellow countryman Benni McCarthy could also decide to leave the club in the summer despite having 18 months left on his contract.
"Benni and I are in the same boat, we are very close and talk a lot about Bafana and about general issues back home in South Africa," he added.
"We have known each other since our days in Holland at Ajax. We do not want to be remembered as the players who were there when Blackburn got relegated.
"If we get maximum points against West Ham next week we will be on course to escape the danger zone."
Mokoena reveals that he has already had interest from other English and European clubs but would not rule out a return to his homeland.
"It is still early for me to come home and play in the PSL. I have been in Europe for 11 years and have acclimatised to the demands," he highlighted.
"But I am planning to come back and give back to the country that has made me the player I am today. For now, I am going to stick around until I am 33 or 34."
