Proposed Blackburn takeover not affecting players

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce insists his players are not being distracted by uncertainty over the long-term future of the club.

Two rival consortiums are considering a takeover bid but Allardyce said: "I don't think it affects the players, it's in the back of your mind and some players' minds if and when it's going to happen, but it doesn't affect you.

"It's always been there ever since I've been here. The club has always been for sale from the day I first walked in and the chairman told me that.

"Because recently there has been some interested parties doing some due diligence you do think a little bit more about it."

Blackburn take on Sunderland tonight in their first home game for four weeks with Allardyce stressing the need for victory.

He said: "We have not played at Ewood for a month, it has been a long time. We want to excite the fans and give them an entertaining game and win three points.

"We had 13 clean sheets last season and that's one of the things I have talked about, and that we must be more clinical with our finishing.

"Generally the teams that finished around mid-table last season had a good home record but didn't win enough points away. We were like that and so were Sunderland.

"I hope for my old mate Steve Bruce that it carries on like that, I don't want to see him coming here and his team producing one of their best away performances and getting a victory!

"We have to be on top of our game and make sure we get back to winning ways at Fortress Ewood."

David Dunn is expected to play some part for Blackburn after recovering from a hamstring strain but Vince Grella is still missing with the same problem. Keith Andrews is also out after having an operation on a groin injury while Ryan Nelsen is a doubt with a thigh problem.