• Premier League

Samba to sign Blackburn contract in next 24 hours

ESPNsoccernet staff
January 23, 2011
Chris Samba was immense in Blackburn's victory over West Brom © PA Photos
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Blackburn boss Steve Kean believes Chris Samba is set to sign a new contract.

Samba had asked to leave the club after new owners Venky's dismissed Sam Allardyce, while Ryan Nelsen had also spoken out against the decision.

However, with Blackburn recently confirming Kean's long-term deal as well as bringing in Roque Santa Cruz and Jermaine Jones, Samba and Nelsen look set to remain at Ewood Park for the foreseeable future.

"I am hopeful that there will be a contract announcement about Samba in the next 24 hours," Kean said. "I have spoken to the owners and I am hopeful there will be some positive information with Ryan having already come to an arrangement over a new deal.

"There was massive confusion early on [after Kean replaced Allardyce] and now we have the team captain and the club captain signing for us. I have never felt I did not have the players with me but it is only now, after I have signed a new long-term contract as manager, that I can sit down with the players without them asking: 'How long are you going to be here?'

"Now I can start to talk to the senior players, including Ryan, Chris and Michel Salgado, about their long-term futures at Blackburn."

He added: "The players we have are enjoying working together. At the training ground I have never seen a group as tight as they are. As for what we can achieve, whether we can get European football here, I want another three wins and then see how far we can go."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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