Big Sam rubbishes Samba link

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has dismissed claims that Tottenham are set to swoop for Chris Samba. The Congolese international has been linked with a switch to White Hart Lane as Spurs boss Harry Redknapp searches for a new centre-half. But Allardyce was quick to rubbish reports that Spurs were in for the 25-year-old defender. "It is an absolute nonsense," Allardyce told Sky Sports News. "As far as I am concerned there has been no contact with Tottenham - and I know that as I spoke to Harry Redknapp." Meanwhile, Allardyce has tipped new loan signing Franco Di Santo to shine this season. "He is a young man that is frustrated at not playing too much first-team football last season," Allardyce said of the Chelsea youngster, who will spend the whole campaign at Ewood Park. "He is looking forward to playing here - he is a talented player, if not a little inexperienced, with lots of ability and I think there is a lot to come from him, but I think we will take it easy with him. "He will play a lot of games, but I don't think he will play every game but when he gets used to it I think he will be a force for us."