GARY Bowyer has not been sacked as manager of Blackburn Rovers, the Lancashire Telegraph understands.

It had been reported earlier this evening that Bowyer had become the first managerial casualty of the season.

Rovers later released a statement on social media confirming that reports that Boywer had been sacked were wide of the mark.

The club tweeted: "We would not normally comment on speculation, but reports this evening regarding our manager are totally untrue and without foundation."

Rovers lost 1-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon to stretch their winless start to the campaign to five matches in all competitions.