Rovers reject Fulham’s Andrews enquiry

BLACKBURN have told Fulham that midfielder Keith Andrews is not available after the London club made an approach.

Contrary to reports, no official bid was received by Rovers for the Republic of Ireland international but an enquiry was made by the Cottagers.

However, the approach was met with a refusal to even enter into negotiations by Ewood Park officials.

Manager Sam Allardyce is under no pressure to sell having off-loaded striker Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City and Matt Derbyshire to Olympiacos for a combined sum of around £20million (€23m). And he stated this week if he did choose to sell it would only be if he could move out one player to bring in two more.

Andrews moved to Ewood Park last summer for £1m (€1.1m) from MK Dons and although he took a while to win over fans in his first full Premier League season his versatility proved useful.

In the latter stages of the season he was employed as a stand-in right-back.

Although Allardyce has signed Danish full-back Lars Jacobsen from Everton he still lacks cover on the right side of defence as Brett Emerton is currently working his way back to fitness from a knee ligament operation and Andre Ooijer has left for PSV Eindhoven.

The manager’s priority remains signing a striker, the area where he is weakest, and that is taking up most of his time.

Meanwhile Steve Finnan’s agent has played down talk linking the player with a move away from Espanyol.

Reports emanating from Spain have suggested a number of clubs in England are tracking the former Liverpool defender with Espanyol open to offers for the full-back.

Republic of Ireland Finnan, who has one year left on his contract at Espanyol, has endured a frustrating time at the club since his arrival from Liverpool last summer, but the 33-year-old is fit and raring to go for the new Spanish season.

And the player’s agent Saif Rubie says Finnan is not thinking about a move and is focused on being ready for the start of the new campaign.

“I have spoken to (Espanyol director general) Pedro Tomaz and I have told him Steve is looking forward to returning to training next Monday,’’ Rubie said.

“Steve is looking to be involved in the first game at Espanyol’s new stadium against his old club Liverpool in August. He had a frustrating time last year, but he has got himself fully fit over the summer and he is fresh and raring to go for this season.’’