Blackburn Rovers could be 'one sale' away from FFP exit

Blackburn finished ninth in the Championship last season

Blackburn Rovers managing director Derek Shaw believes they are one big sale away from getting out of their Financial Fair Play embargo.

The Championship club have been unable to buy players since December 2014 for not meeting the Football League's Fair Play Requirement.

"We're probably one sale away, one asset sale away from coming out of FFP," Shaw told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Which would probably be a player for under £5m."

Speaking at a fans' forum Shaw added: "I think the days of spending big for players are probably gone for now and I think Gary (Bowyer) has proven that with some of the signings he's brought in who've been free transfers."

Managing director Derek Shaw, manager Gary Bowyer and director of communications Alan Myers take questions at Ewood Park

Under existing rules, clubs were permitted to lose no more than £3m a season, with a maximum of £5m of shareholder investment in 2013-14.

Blackburn are owned by Indian poultry firm Venky's, owned by the Rao family, who purchased the club for £43m in 2010.

The club's net debt rose to £79.8m in January with Rovers in their fourth season in the second tier following their relegation from the Premier League in 2011-12.

Other topics that were raised at the forum included:

• Rovers got £6m for the sale of striker Rudi Gestede to Aston Villa

• There was never a £14m offer from anyone for forward Jordan Rhodes

• Owners Venky's are still putting "a lot of money" into the football club

• Boss Gary Bowyer says their are two places available in the squad to sign players under the embargo

Blackburn currently sit 15th after 10 games so far this season in the Championship and were knocked out of the League Cup by League One side Shrewsbury in August.

"We've just got to stick together," Bowyer said. "Stop looking behind and stop worrying about what's gone off.

"Until then lets stop the bickering, stop looking behind and lets look forward and have a right good go."

If you missed the Blackburn fans forum on BBC Radio Lancashire you can listen again to the show on the iPlayer.