Blackburn Rovers

Andy Bayes
BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

Callum Brittain's contract situation at Blackburn Rovers has taken a number of twists and turns since the final match of last season at Sheffield United.

Links with moves away have been followed by reports of positive talks about a new deal. But, following my conversation with Valerien Ismael on Saturday, it's pretty clear that he, right-back Brittain, sees his future somewhere else.

"Callum decided not to play today, on his own," the Frenchman said.

"I spoke with him, I said clearly that I will pass this game but I hope from next week we have clarity because we cannot do that every week.

"Let's see what happens in the next few days, but some clubs are very interested, especially one, in Callum."

Ismael could have kept his cards close to his chest, but his communication couldn't have been clearer as to what was happening. He wants a resolution as soon as possible.

This situation isn't anything new. Blackburn Rovers have form for key players running down their deals and walking away for nothing. Tyrhys Dolan is currently a free agent after severing ties with the club this summer. Compensation will be the fee for him if he stays on these shores.

Dom Hyam, Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad – three key players are going into their final season under contract and simply can't be allowed to do the same as Dolan, Andi Weimann, Danny Batth, Ben Brereton-Diaz, Joe Rothwell, Ryan Nyambe and Darragh Lenihan have since 2022.

The question is… could Blackburn be more proactive when a player has 18 months to two years remaining? They probably could. But the player holds the cards with a year to go.

Callum Brittain will be 28 by the end of next season; can anyone begrudge him the opportunity of a bumper contract for his peak years?

Ruling himself out of last weekend's friendly at Accrington hasn't gone down particularly well with some supporters who believe that while he's on the payroll, he should be available.

But surely every supporter would prefer a fully committed player to be selected, and an asset who wants away should be protected from injury while the clubs thrash out a fee.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Blackburn Rovers winger Kevin Gallacher has praised Rovers boss Valerien Ismael for his honesty regarding the future of defender Callum Brittain.

Ismael confirmed that Brittain has not signed a new contract and is being courted by other clubs after the 27-year-old refused to play in a friendly against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

"[Ismael] is telling everyone what it's all about. There's a contract there; it's not been signed, it's possibly been rejected," Gallacher told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He doesn't want to play in the [pre-season friendly], it tells me he wants to move away from the football club and the manager being honest has said, 'fair play then you're not playing, get yourself a club'.

"It looks like Callum Brittain could be moving somewhere else now."

Finances may also influence Blackburn's decision to sell Brittain.

Rovers may potentially take a financial hit on striker Tyrhys Dolan, who was offered a new deal upon the completion of his contract at the end of last season but is now being linked with a number of other clubs.

"Unfortunately today's Blackburn need money, we need the money from the players," Gallacher added.

"If we can extract a club to come in and pay what we are asking then unfortunately we are going to lose probably, for me, one of the best full-backs in the league, but we have to move on."

Listen to Gallacher's full thoughts on X via @BBCLancsSport., external

Kristi Montgomery says he wants to be around the Blackburn Rovers first team this season and fight for a place in Valerien Ismael's plans.

The 21-year-old, who has played in defence and midfield, made his Rovers debut against Sheffield Wednesday in April when Ismael recalled him from a loan spell with National League North side Chorley, following a loan at Marine in the first half of the campaign.

He went on to start the 1-0 win over Luton, only to be sent-off just before the hour, and after serving a one-match ban came off the bench as Rovers won by the same scoreline at Sunderland later in the month.

"Football changes quickly. Anything can happen. You've just got to take your opportunity when it comes," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"This time last year I was probably thinking about going on loan to Marine, so it's a big contrast from last season but you've just got to be ready.

"I want to strive for the first team here at Blackburn. Obviously the gaffer is putting some trust in me and I just want to repay that and do my best on the field."

Montgomery says he relishes the competition for places in pre-season, adding: "Everyone is fighting for a position. That's the healthy competition there is at the club.

"There are a lot of good players and it's going to be tough but you've just got to back yourself."

Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael has confirmed that defender Callum Brittain has rejected the club's offer of a new contract.

Brittain has one year left on his current contract but has been linked with a move away from the club despite Ismael being keen on keeping the 27-year-old.

"He didn't accept our offer," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"If [the club] want Callum, they have to come back with a better offer. It's not what I want to do to see him leaving, he's a very important player."

The defender refused to take part in Rovers' friendly against Accrington Stanley on Saturday, with Ismael confirming after the match that the side are receiving particular interest from another club for his signature.

"Callum decided not to play today on his own," the Frenchman said.

"I spoke with him, I said clearly that I will pass this game but I hope from next week we have clarity because we cannot do that every week.

"Let's see what happens in the next few days but some clubs are very interested, especially one, in Callum."

Andy Bayes
BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

Joe Rankin-Costello will have been a dream for the past four bosses to have sat in the Blackburn Rovers hot seat.

An injury or suspension in a number of positions, and he'd be asked to fill it.

If I had a pound for how many times in the last 25 years that a player would tell me, "I'll play wherever the manager wants me to play," I'd be a very wealthy man. It's the stock answer, really, for any player to give; only occasionally will someone with a strong personality tell you how they really feel.

It's only natural that at 25 years of age the lure of a new challenge has led him to join Charlton Athletic, and where he plays for them will interest a lot of people who follow Rovers.

An academy graduate, Rankin-Costello can play central midfield, as a number ten, or wide in a front three on either side – not to mention at right-back where he undoubtedly produced his best form under Jon Dahl Tomasson.

He started the 2023-24 season as first choice at right-back after a sparkling second half to the previous campaign. And, although squad numbers barely resemble playing positions these days, a player wearing 11 at right-back tells you all you need to know.

Standout displays at Huddersfield Town and QPR showed him at his very best - comfortable in possession, spending 70% of the match in the opposition half rather than as an orthodox right-back - it was the position for him in a Tomasson system that brought the best out of him.

Yes, there were injuries that hampered his progress, and the emergence of Callum Brittain as one of the championship's best right-backs has meant that he's really only been a deputy under John Eustace and Valerien Ismael. He started last season wide on the right after finishing the previous campaign as a holding midfielder.

But when does versatility cost a player? It does when he isn't first choice in any position. Then when a chance comes due to the absence of someone else, a high-level performance is expected.

Given his age, he should have more than 132 senior appearances across all competitions. His talent should dictate that. He'll not have too many issues settling in with Thomas Kaminski and Amari'i Bell (new arrivals at The Valley), both being former Rovers team-mates.

On paper, the deal looks a good one for all parties. Rovers get cash for someone surplus to requirements; Charlton get a player with well over 100 championship appearances; and the player himself will get a change of scenery and a brand new challenge to kick-start a career that badly needs it.

Blackburn have joined Premier League pair Wolves and Burnley in the race for 18-year-old English striker Devine Samuel, who has turned down a new contract at Leyton Orient. (Birmingham World, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Out-of-contract Blackburn striker Tyrhys Dolan is attracting interest from clubs in Greece and Turkey, as well as Bristol City, Derby and Middlesbrough. (Alan Nixon, external)

Rovers are keen on Stockport defender Ethan Pye but are put off by the Hatters' £3m valuation. (Alan Nixon, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

The EFL fixture list is out and we know you are bursting to know what you've got to look forward to - or dread - from your team this upcoming season.

Here are some key dates to put in your diary:

• 9 August 2025 - v West Bromwich Albion (A)

• 16 August 2025 - v Birmingham City (H)

• 8 November 2025 - v Derby County (H)

• 26 December 2025 - v Middlesbrough (A)

• 1 January 2026 - v Wrexham (H)

• 2 May 2026 - v Leicester City (H)

See Blackburn Rovers' full fixture list here.

Your club will soon discover their schedule for the upcoming EFL season. As soon as Thursday, in fact.

Want to know who your side will face on opening day? The EFL fixtures will be announced at 12:00 BST - but that's not all.

The day will be rounded off by the first round of Carabao Cup being drawn at 16:30 BST.

So check back on 26 June to see who your team faces first, last and everything in between.

Blackburn Rovers winger Tyrhys Dolan has drawn interest from Norwich City and Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers with the 23-year-old's contract at Ewood Park set to expire this summer. (Football League World), external

Read Friday's full gossip column for more EFL transfer rumours

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Blackburn Rovers have identified Polish side Legia Warsaw's centre-back Steve Kapuadi as a transfer target but face competition from Wolves and German Bundesliga club Union Berlin for the 27-year-old DR Congo international. (Goal Poland - in Polish), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Derby County and Wrexham are battling for the signature of Blackburn Rovers captain and midfielder Lewis Travis, 27. (Football League World), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Blackburn Rovers' Balazs Toth and fellow goalkeeper Max O'Leary of Bristol City both made their international debuts between the posts on Tuesday.

Toth played the first 58 minutes for Hungary during their 2-1 victory over Azerbaijan before being replaced by Al-Fateh's Peter Szappanos.

O'Leary kept a clean sheet for Republic of Ireland during his first appearance for his country in a goalless draw against Luxembourg.

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion midfielder Isaac Price scored the winner for Northern Ireland with a curled effort from just outside the box in their 1-0 victory over Iceland.