Blackburn tell Chris Samba he must stay

Blackburn Rovers owner Anuradha Desai has reportedly told unsettled defender Chris Samba that he cannot leave the club until the summer.

The Rovers skipper was delivered the news via a conference call following his decision to hand in a transfer request earlier in the week.

Desai, however, is understood to have told the 27-year-old that he must stay and aid the club's fight against relegation this season.

Club boss Steve Kean recently stated: "He knows he is not for sale and we won't welcome any more bids. Hopefully we can now move on."

Samba joined the club from Hertha BSC in 2007.