Rovers want Ferguson to stay

Blackburn chief executive John Williams insists the club do not want Barry Ferguson to leave.

Scotland captain Ferguson joined Blackburn 17 months ago for £6.5m (€9.3m) from Rangers, but speculation is mounting the Scottish giants are preparing a £5million bid to lure him back to Ibrox.

It led to Williams yesterday meeting both Ferguson and his agent, John Viola, to clarify the situation regarding the 27-year-old.

“Yes, it’s true we did meet with Barry and John,” Williams told the Daily Record. “We had a good meeting, but what we discussed was private. If you are asking if Blackburn want Barry to stay then, yes, I should think we do.”

Striker Jonathan Stead is another Blackburn player being linked with a move away from Ewood Park, with Championship sides Sunderland and Sheffield United understood to be interested.

Stead, who made a significant impact following his £1.25m (€1.8m) move from Huddersfield nearly a year ago by scoring six goals in 13 appearances to help keep the club in the top flight last season, has failed to find the net in 20 matches this season.

But agent John Seasman maintains Stead is happy at Blackburn and has no intention of moving as he said: “It comes as no surprise Mick McCarthy likes him as he tried to sign him before he went to Blackburn

“There has been no approach made, but you never know in football. I am sure Blackburn want to keep Jon as he has been playing recently. He is happy there and he has a chance to impress by playing games.

“Blackburn feel he is still developing and I know Mark Hughes likes him a lot.”