Blackburn Rovers duo set for Olympic duty during pre-season
10:00am Friday 6th April 2012 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
BLACKBURN Rovers are bracing themselves for the prospect of losing Grant Hanley and Jason Lowe for almost all of pre-season – with both in line to be involved in Britain’s Olympic campaign.
Rovers’ academy products are expected to continue in Steve Kean’s first team for tomorrow’s crucial trip to West Brom, with their manager admitting their emergence hasn’t gone unnoticed by Team GB’s selectors.
Kean confirmed both of the 20-year-olds were in line for selection for the tournament that starts on July 26 and insisted he would not stand in their way.
London 2012 and the build-up would clash almost entirely with Rovers’ summer preparations for the new campaign but Kean is adamant, if selected, both should accept.
He said: “We have had with the Olympic organisation. The way I believe the Olympic squad is named is after the countries name their European Champion-ships squad.
“We expect some of our boys to be in the Olympic squad. Jason Lowe and Grant Hanley, there is a big chance they could be involved.
“If they want to play and are selected then I am sure they will play. It is a thing that you look at and say is it an honour to play in the Olympics? I think it is.
“It is not ideal timing but when they do come back, they will come back very fit because they will have been training for the majority of the time.
“If they get selected I think they should play and consider it an honour.”
Hanley is expected to continue his partnership with Scott Dann in the heart of the defence at the Hawthorns tomorrow, with Lowe continuing in central midfield.
Both have earned international recognition, Lowe with England under 21s and Hanley with the Scotland senior squad, with Kean revealing the latter has even earned praise from Alex Ferguson.
Kean said: “Sir Alex said after Monday’s game Grant’s anticipation had really improved and we feel, not only that aspect, his feet have got better, he is very quick, and he has bonded with Scott Dann.
“Sir Alex was very complimentary and thought he was good enough to play for the Scotland team for the next 10 to 15 years and I agree.”
Rovers travel to West Brom tomorrow in the Premier League relegation zone but with just one point separating the four teams above basement side Wolves.
Comments(15)
The Blocked One
says...
11:17am Fri 6 Apr 12
carlmc
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11:20am Fri 6 Apr 12
The Blocked One
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11:40am Fri 6 Apr 12
carlmc
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11:51am Fri 6 Apr 12
The Blocked One
says...
1:29pm Fri 6 Apr 12
OnePostThenTheOther
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1:51pm Fri 6 Apr 12
merlinrabbit
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2:10pm Fri 6 Apr 12
merlinrabbit
says...
2:11pm Fri 6 Apr 12
The Blocked One wrote:Why dont you ring main reception number or any other instead of the ticket office.
Just as an aside, I'm trying to contact the ticket office (from outside the UK). The number 0871 2221444 does not work for me. Does anyone know of another number that I can call ? Thanks in advance.
The Blocked One
says...
2:20pm Fri 6 Apr 12
merlinrabbit wrote:It's also an 0871 number, tried commercial department, corporate hospitality, found a number for RoverStore (Ewood) 01254 665606, but no answer ...
The Blocked One wrote:Why dont you ring main reception number or any other instead of the ticket office.
Just as an aside, I'm trying to contact the ticket office (from outside the UK). The number 0871 2221444 does not work for me. Does anyone know of another number that I can call ? Thanks in advance.
Russ ov the rovers
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2:30pm Fri 6 Apr 12
I honestly cannot believe that this idiot is actually thinking about next season with us! the mind boogles and if we are relegated does he think he will still be puffing his feathers within our club?
carlmc
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3:13pm Fri 6 Apr 12
French Rover
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8:21pm Fri 6 Apr 12
The Blocked One wrote:Hi Blocked one....I just tried the number from here in France and got through first time using 00448712221444..I got a recorded message saying it was closed but that the number I use when I order tickets for my all too rare visits.
I did, it's probably because it's a special BT number (pay per minute). Anyway, it doesn't work, and because the tickets for the Liverpool game are only on sale online to season ticket holders, I can't get hold of any ...
dancav
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2:43am Sat 7 Apr 12
MxMave
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4:33am Sat 7 Apr 12
carlmc says...
11:09am Fri 6 Apr 12