SAM Allardyce has insisted that Blackburn Rovers would have been making a mistake by keeping Matt Derbyshire – because he wanted to leave just as much as Roque Santa Cruz.

While many Rovers fans were glad to finally see an end to the Santa Cruz saga when the wantaway Paraguayan was sold to Manchester City, Derbyshire’s departure was met with more widespread disappointment.

The 23-year-old had started his career with non-league side Great Harwood before progressing through the Rovers youth team ranks and displaying the ability to score goals in the Premier League – even if he was unable to hold down a starting place.

Although Rovers still have David Dunn and Blackburn-raised Scot Paul Gallagher in their ranks, it is a rarity these days for a local lad and boyhood fan to play for a top flight side.

But it is understood that, in the days before Derbyshire’s exit to Olympiakos for around £3m, the striker made it clear to Rovers that he wanted to move to Greece rather than remain at Ewood.

Derbyshire initally moved on loan in January, finding both his feet and the net in Piraeus, and Allardyce has stressed the importance of having players who are only focused on Rovers.

“I thought it was a terrific piece of business from our point of view,” said Big Sam.

“But at the end of the day it was triggered by Matt Derbyshire not wanting to stay at Blackburn Rovers any more.

“He was just as determined to leave the football club as Roque was, so at the end of the day you take the money and where you can get someone who does want to play for Blackburn Rovers.”

Some have suggested that Santa Cruz should have been sold in January, with the Paraguayan suffering from injuries for the rest of the season, but Allardyce said: “We managed to overcome the bids we had for him in January, which was particularly important.

“I know that he didn’t play a major part, but the times he was on the field after January he did have an influence in the results we got at that time.

“And every point was precious.”