ERIC Black is adamant Chris Samba’s shock Russian switch will not derail Blackburn Rovers’ survival bid – after the defender tonight sealed a circa £11m move to Anzhi Makhachkala.

The former Rovers skipper finally got his move away from Ewood Park hours before the Russian transfer window closed, on the eve of tomorrow's Premier League trip to Manchester City, with the fee understood to be in the region of £9m up front plus £2m add-ons.

Samba had not featured for Rovers since the defeat to Stoke on January 2, after accusing Rovers’ owners Venky’s of not matching his ambitions and handing in a transfer request.

Rovers boss Steve Kean had hoped Samba would return to his squad for the Premier League run-in after the club refused to be forced into selling him last month.

But, with Samba still unhappy and not involved in first team training, Anzhi’s late big-money interest tempted Venky’s into parting with the giant defender.

Rovers travel to league leaders Manchester City tomorrow with just two available central defenders, Grant Hanley and Scott Dann, but Black sees no reason why Samba’s departure should disrupt their battle to keep their top flight status.

Rovers’ assistant said: “I don’t know the ins and outs of it all. I have not been privy to all that.

“I have not had an awful lot of contact with Chris because he has only trained a couple of times with the first team. He has been injured and been doing some physical work to get his fitness up. I have not had a lot of contact.

“I have never been able to consider Chris Samba as a player so it does not alter my thinking. The only players I am worried about are the ones that affect it on a Saturday.

“The ones that have affected it on a Saturday have done exceptionally well and deserve to have their places and I am sure will retain their places for a long time if they perform the way they have.”

Samba joined Rovers from Hertha Berlin for £450,000 in January 2007 and established himself as a mainstay in defence.

It is understood German outfit Hertha Berlin will receive around 15 per cent of the fee due to a sell-on clause.