Rhodes going nowhere says Blackburn boss

Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer has reiterated the club’s intention to keep fending off offers for star striker Jordan Rhodes.

The Scotland internationalist has struck nine goals in the first seven games of the season after Rovers managed to hold on to him during the summer transfer window.

But Bowyer knows that the resolve of the owners, the Venky family, will be tested again in January if Rhodes stays on his hot streak.

“It would have to be an astronomical offer for us to consider selling,” says Bowyer ahead of today’s Lancashire derby at Wigan. It was the first thing I asked about when I was initially offered the job. I was told then that we wouldn’t be selling him and nothing has changed.

“During the transfer window I had to answer the question at every press conference and Jordan didn’t help me by continuing to score! All along, the answer I gave was ‘no’. So when the window closed, although we knew ourselves he wasn’t going anywhere, I think it gave everyone within the club a lift. No doubt when we get to January it will all start again, especially if he keeps scoring.

“Everyone says the hardest job in football is scoring goals and Jordan does that very, very well. We’re not daft. We understand that someone who does it as regularly as he does is going to draw attention. His type of player is worth his weight in gold.”

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has been reluctant to start Rhodes, despite his scoring record, hinting that the player doesn’t contribute enough to general play.

“I don’t know whether he was upset, but I know nothing fazes him,” says Bowyer. “Since those comments were made he’s gone on a fantastic scoring run. Is he a team player? It depends what people mean by that. His contribution to our club is massive because of his goals. That makes him a team player.

“He also works extremely hard and doesn’t get enough credit for his work-rate off the ball.”