SAM Allardyce has urged Morten Gamst Pedersen to finally sign a new deal now Blackburn Rovers’ own Premier League future is virtually secure.

With six matches to play, it is almost inconceivable Blackburn will be dragged into a dogfight, which is why Allardyce can now turn his attention to strengthening his squad.

The Blackburn manager’s main priority in the next few months, aside from securing another striker, is to see midfielder Pedersen sign a fresh deal.

“There’s a contract we want Morten to sign so I hope his and the chairman’s representatives can secure a deal tomorrow. That would not be soon enough for me,” Allardyce said.

“Morten has suggested he wants to stay and, if that’s the case, get it done and dusted and don’t leave the door ajar for somebody to step in and make it impossible for us to sign him.”

Allardyce admits he does not like ‘situations lingering’, especially as Pedersen remains vulnerable to another club offering a pre-contract agreement. Italian sides Palermo and Fiorentina have been linked.

“I don’t have any doubts (he will sign), it’s just that the two parties need to come together and thrash it out,” Allardyce added.

“It needs to be done very, very quickly. Because we’re now in a comfortable position, we can’t afford to let these things pass by, in particular when there’s still a chance for anybody outside of this league to knock on his door and say, ‘Sign this contract.’ “He could sign it, and he doesn’t even have to let us know, and then lo and behold it’s too late.”