Blackburn Rovers have dismissed reports suggesting they could let Jordan Rhodes leave the club on loan, as they push for a playoff position.
Rhodes has been a consistent goalscorer for the Lancashire club since they signed him in an £8million deal from Huddersfield Town in 2012, finding the back of the net 65 times in 123 appearances in the Championship. As things stand the Scotland international is set to end the campaign with his lowest return, although he has still contributed 13 goals from 34 outings.
Recent reports have suggested that Rovers would be prepared to let the 25-year-old leave the club on loan, with second-tier title-chasers Derby County and Hillsborough giants Sheffield Wednesday said to be interested in the former Ipswich Town youngster. However, Gary Bowyer has dismissed such claims, insisting that Rhodes still has a key role to play at Ewood Park this season.
“He’s a valuable member of our squad,” said the Rovers boss. “He scores goals. We haven’t given up hope of the play-offs ourselves so why would we want to even consider it? From a footballing point of view, we turned big money down for him in the summer so why we’d let him out on loan to potential rivals, I don’t know. He does exactly what he says on the tin – scores goals.”
Blackburn are something of a long-shot to reach the playoffs in truth, as they are currently in 11th position and 14 points behind sixth-placed Brentford although they do have a game in hand. Bowyer’s side are also in contention for a place at Wembley after they held Liverpool to a goalless draw in the FA Cup quarter-final last weekend, forcing a reply at Ewood Park next month.
