Ince rules out player sales

Blackburn's new manager Paul Ince on Tuesday ruled out any further player sales this summer.

David Bentley and Brad Friedel both left for Tottenham and Aston Villa respectively this close season, while both Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy have been linked with possible moves.

“The door is shut now. The players can't go, full stop,” Ince told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

“Clubs are trying to unsettle some of my players. I don't like it. It's my first job in the Premier League and the last thing I want to do is sell my best players.

“Benni is definitely one of them and there's plenty more. As far as I'm concerned, the situation is closed.

“There's always going to be speculation about players, but I can categorically say, 100 per cent, that nobody will be leaving this club.”

And he also hinted that Robbie Fowler will be offered a deal at Ewood Park.

The former Liverpool and Leeds striker is currently training with Rovers after rejecting a new contract at Cardiff City.

“Robbie is okay. He's fit but he just needs to get his sharpness and I've told him that,” Ince continued. “He will always score goals.

“If we can get him right, then there's no reason why he can't play a part in the season. If you look at Teddy Sheringham, he played until he was 41.

“He wasn't blessed with pace, like Robbie, who I'm sure won't mind me saying. But if we get him right, I'm sure he will score goals.”