Blackburn Rovers Football Club

• Nickname:Rovers
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Ewood Park
• Capacity:31367

Allardyce: Samba staying put

06 Aug 2009 - 10:37:33

Click To Enlarge

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has insisted there has been no contact from rival clubs regarding giant centre-halfChristopher Samba's availability.

The Congo international has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur during the summer but Allardyce has rubbished the rumours.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: "It's an absolute nonsense.

"As far as I'm concerned there's been no contact with Tottenham - and I know that as I spoke to Harry Redknapp."

The 25-year-old impressed throughout last season and was even used as a makeshift centre forward in Roque Santa Cruz's absence in the last few weeks of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Allardyce is confident Franco di Santo will have a positive effect on the team after arriving from Chelsea on loan.

The former Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United boss added: "He's looking forward to playing here.

"He's a talented player, if not a little inexperienced, with lots of ability and I think there's a lot to come from him, although I think we'll take it easy with him."