Blackburn say Duff’s departure is on cards

OUTSTANDING Irish winger Damien Duff looks set to leave UEFA Cup hopefuls Blackburn Rovers, their assistant manager has claimed.

The 24-year-old is believed to be a target of Premiership champions Manchester United, runners-up Arsenal and Liverpool with the club admitting a bid of £12million stg (17.1m) would be hard to refuse.

“It is impossible for most clubs to hang on to their top players and it will be difficult for us to hang on to Damien,” Tony Parkes said. “He has been here a long time - he grew up here. But others blowing in his ear may sway his thoughts.

“He's a top player and if clubs are interested and pay the right money there is a chance he will move.”

Duff has been in outstanding form for Rovers of late, scoring his seventh goal of the season in all competitions in Saturday's 1-1 draw with relegated West Brom, following on from the excellent performances he gave for Ireland in the World Cup finals last year. Despite Blackburn being able to qualify for next season's UEFA Cup should they win and Everton lose on Sunday, Parkes admitted the prospect of playing in the competition would not be enough to persuade Duff to stay at Ewood Park.

“If an Arsenal or Manchester United show interest in him a place in the UEFA Cup wouldn't matter. I think it's impossible to keep a player when he has the lure of playing in the Champions League for Manchester United. It's impossible for most clubs to resist if the money is right. Don't forget that a player can make the club's mind up. Once a player decides that he wants to go then it can be difficult to hold onto to him.”

Parkes, a longtime servant of the club and who has stepped in to good effect whenever he has been called upon to be caretaker manager, said the benefit of receiving good money for Duff would be that they could bring in several new players.

“Hopefully we could improve the team and not be dependant on Damien as we are most weeks.”