Samba has apparently been trying to leave Rovers for the past year

New Blackburn manager Steve Kean has stripped Christopher Samba of the captaincy after the defender announced his desire to leave Ewood Park.

An ankle injury kept Samba out of the 2-0 defeat by Stoke, but Kean said that even if the defender had proven his fitness he would not have led Rovers.

"Christopher would have played but he wouldn't have been captain because he's looking to get away," Kean confirmed.

"Until he says he is happy to stay we'll look elsewhere in the club."

Kean, who three days before Christmas was told he will be in charge until the end of the season, was left to reflect on a first goal that he thought should have been disallowed and a section of the home support who barracked him after the defeat.

"We can understand the frustration of the fans and we are just as frustrated in the dressing room," the Rovers boss added.

"There has been upheaval at the club but I don't want to make excuses because that is not the way I am. I was disappointed with the goals we gave away.

"I'm disappointed about the first goal as we felt we should have been given a free-kick. Gael Givet was blocked and he couldn't get back, but it was tough for the referee to see.

"I'm disappointed because we spoke about Stoke's threat from set plays and we said at half-time that they score a lot a the start of the second half.

"But we have to take the positives and work on the negatives and look forward to the West Brom game [on Tuesday]."

Meanwhile, Potters boss Tony Pulis is hopeful that his influential winger Matthew Etherington will be fit for their next game against Fulham after he limped out of the win.

606: DEBATE It is evident that Steve Kean is out of his depth and has the club on auto pilot towards the Championship jayjube

Etherington was at the centre of much of Stoke's attacking threat, providing the corner for Robert Huth to head the visitors ahead and creating numerous other chances before being substituted.

Pulis said: "He [Etherington] was kicked on the knee and is a little sore, but we're at a hotel for a couple of nights, so he'll have good attention and I hope that will give us enough time to get him right for the Fulham game.

"But we've got good back up if we lose Matty."

Etherington should have scored Stoke's opener at Ewood Park, but he somehow managed to skew a left-foot volley wide from inside one yard during a dour first half.

However, after the break, the diminutive winger imposed his authority on the game and after delivering a delightful cross for Huth, he found Dean Whitehead and Kenwyne Jones with two more accurate centres and although they did not lead to goals, Stoke ran out comfortable winners thanks to Marc Wilson's late strike.

"It was very pleasing after getting beaten by Blackpool at home in our last game to bounce back and the lads did well, creating lots of chances and keeping a clean sheet," Pulis reflected.

"With Etherington and [Jermaine] Pennant out wide we've got good pace and at the back Rob [Huth] and Ryan [Shawcross] were outstanding.

"We knew we had to defend well because they put a lot of balls into your box and we did just that.

"This is an important season for the club. It's our third in the Premier League and if we can stay in it, with all the money that goes with that, we can than start to push on."

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