Samba extends Ewood stay

Blackburn defender Christopher Samba has committed his long-term future to the club.

The 25-year-old has signed a new contract at Ewood Park that will take him up to the summer of 2014.

Chairman John Williams said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure Chris on a new long-term deal, which is an important one for the club.”

Samba joined Blackburn after a successful trial, sealing a £400,000 move from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin in January 2007.

Samba has made 109 appearances for Blackburn, scoring nine goals and was employed as an emergency striker last season by manager Sam Allardyce.

It was a testing time for the club but they escaped relegation with games to spare after Allardyce replaced Paul Ince.

Williams said: “It (the new deal) has been richly deserved through his performances over the past few seasons.

“He demonstrated a tremendous attitude in the last campaign when playing in an unfamiliar role as a striker”.

Meanwhile, Brett Emerton is backing his fellow Australian Vince Grella to make an impact at Blackburn once he is fully fit.

The former Torino midfielder could come into contention for the derby against Bolton on Sunday following groin and hamstring injuries.

Emerton told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Vince works hard, breaks up a lot of the play, is a good passer of the ball and that is something we need.

“He has a great attitude on and off the pitch. He is a hard worker and I do not think he will let injuries get him down. He has that toughness about him."