Players speaking out on their futures is a regular theme in a look back at Rovers news on this day in history, top scorer Yakubu being ready to move on after relegation from the Premier League.

 The Nigerian admitted he wasn’t keen on a stint in the Championship with Rovers and was looking to explore the £2m get-out clause in his contract, with a number of Premier League clubs – including QPR, Reading and Southampton – linked with the 29-year-old in 2012.

Three years later it was another attacker, Josh King, whose time at the club was coming to an end after he rejected a new contract and looked set to join Premier League new boys AFC Bournemouth.

The out of contract Norwegian international was offered a new deal by Rovers boss Gary Bowyer but instead signed a pre-contract agreement with Eddie Howe’s Cherries, with compensation for the 23-year-old still to be agreed.

Goalkeeper Jason Brown was frustrated by his lack of opportunities in 2009, the Welshman assessing his options in a bid to revive his career after making just three league starts in all for the club. He had even lost his place on the bench to Mark Bunn and admitted his desire for more regular game-time meant his exit was “almost inevitable”.

A year earlier it was Andre Ooijer who was considering his future as he moved in to the final 12 months of his deal at Ewood.

Ooijer, who signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2006 for £2m, had been linked with a move back to his homeland.

“I do not wish to continuously sit on the bench,” said Ooijer after making 23 appearances in 2007/08.

In 2001, chief executive John Williams shot down speculation linking Rovers with a new move for Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise, and two years later, a move for another Stamford Bridge midfielder looked unlikely.

Graeme Souness had originally identified Jody Morris as one of his summer targets, on a free transfer, but his wage demands meant that wasn’t likely to come to fruition.

There was better news however, as wing wizard Damien Duff scotched speculation over his future by insisting he wanted to stay with Rovers.

Duff had been constantly linked with a big-money move to one of the Premier League big guns but said: “My only preference as a club is Blackburn Rovers, and that’s all there is to say.

“At the moment, I just consider it paper talk and I haven’t even talked to the gaffer about it.

“I am happy where I am at the minute, and that’s as a Blackburn Rovers player.”

In 2009, a deal for attacker Peter Lovenkrands looked unlikely, but in 2011, Benjani was set to be offered a Rovers lifeline after doing enough to persuade boss Steve Kean he can still make a Premier League impact.

As the search for Paul Lambert’s replacement dragged on in 2016, Russell Slade was the latest man to be interviewed, however Rovers would face competition for the 55-year-old from League One side Charlton Athletic.

Twelve months ago, Rovers were again credited with interest in long-term target Sam Gallagher. Rovers tried to sign him on a permanent deal in 2018, and again on loan in January, but Southampton opted to keep the 23-year-old at St Mary’s.

Gary Bowyer was outlining his plans in the summer of 2014 which included trying to keep hold of mercurial midfielder David Dunn, and bring Michael Keane back from Manchester United.

Rovers were in contract talks with Dunn, as well as Marcus Olsson, and Bowyer said: “It’s still ongoing.

“We will be continuing those talks over the next week or two. I want to keep them.”

Meanwhile, Howard Kendall was set to become Blackburn Rovers’ first ever player-manager on this day in 1979.

Rovers’ chairman, Derrick Keighley, said he was awaiting a phone call from Stoke City to see if they would allow him to move.