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Page last updated at 17:09 GMT, Wednesday, 8 April 2009 18:09 UK

No Derbyshire recall for Rovers

Matt Derbyshire
Derbyshire joined Greek champions Olympiakos in January

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he is unable to recall striker Matt Derbyshire from his loan spell at Greek side Olympiakos.

The England Under-21 international has scored five goals in ten appearances since moving from Rovers in January.

"I let Derbyshire out as we needed a little bit of financial adjustment," Allardyce told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It was needed to bring in El-Hadji Diouf and Gael Givet. Those two players have made a good impact."

Olympiakos have recently been crowned Greek champions for the 12th time in 13 years and still have two league matches to play.

Allardyce admitted that he will look to adapt Derbyshire's game when he returns to England.

Of course if anyone can score goals you would want to keep him. We do want to keep him

Sam Allardyce

"He can score goals. We know that but the game at this level is much more than just scoring goals," he said.

"There is no longer room for players who just score goals and do not do so much else.

"Everybody has to put their work in when they are in possession and out of possession. That is something we can work on with Matt when he gets back.

"Of course if anyone can score goals you would want to keep him. We do want to keep him."

Blackburn have a shortage of strikers ahead of Easter Saturday's visit to Liverpool.

Roque Santa Cruz remains a doubt with a knee injury with Jason Roberts missing for a number of weeks with a stress fracture of his metatarsal.

Allardyce has also confirmed that he can not recall striker Paul Gallagher from his season-long loan spell with Plymouth.



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see also
Derbyshire agrees Olympiakos move
29 Jan 09 |  Blackburn
Derbyshire handed new Rovers deal
07 Jun 06 |  Blackburn


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