Big Sam won't be selling off Rovers' stars

Sam Allardyce only agreed to take over as Blackburn boss after being guaranteed the club will not sell star striker Roque Santa Cruz.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes believed he was going to capture his former player for £20million in the transfer window.

But Allardyce, who will give his first press conference since taking over from Paul Ince later today, made it clear he would not come to Ewood Park if the club started to sell all of its best players.

Allardyce has agreed a three-year deal believed to be worth around £6m. He is expected to get a large bonus if he keeps Rovers up - they are 19th in the Premier League, five points off safety.

He said: "I am very, very pleased indeed."