Duff dismisses Ewood quit fears

There are no guarantees in the game -- as Rovers fans know better than most. But Duff has made a remarkable pledge of loyalty to Ewood in the wake of Saturday's defeat at Wolves, which makes it all but mathematically certain that they have missed the promotion boat this season.

And that's just the kind of support from one of his star players that manager Graeme Souness will be delighted to hear.

The Republic of Ireland winger, who scored a superb solo goal at Molineux on Saturday (pictured) to follow his double strike against Sheffield United, is a prime contender for Ewood's player-of-the-season prize.

But he is already looking ahead to next season, when Souness will start afresh, and Duff believes Rovers can prosper.

"I can't wait," he said.

"A new manager has come in and he hasn't said much yet, but I want to be part of things.

"I suppose we messed up with the start of the season this year and everything has stemmed from that really.

"We had a bit of a blip in the middle too, but it has all really come from the way we started off.

"But if we can get a good start next season, I don't see why we should not go straight back up.

"I love Blackburn, it's the only place for me -- a true blue." There has been some speculation that Premiership clubs have been keeping tabs on the situation at Ewood.

And, after what has happened in the promotion race, it is inevitable that Rovers' better players will be linked with outgoing moves.

Hopefully, Duff's comments will help keep the vultures at bay. The 21-year-old winger is also aiming to finish the present campaign on as high a note as possible.

"It's late in the season now and I feel a bit tired compared to what I did a couple of months ago," he added.

"But we just have to keep battling on and get as many points as we can from the games that are left."

Duff has already impressed Souness who is more than happy to have such a talented player on board and the manager believes he can go on to greater things.

"I see him as a young man with the potential to be one of the best around," he said.

"Working with him for a short period of time, it's obvious he has qualities and, as long as he wants to keep learning, he will be able to reach the level we think he can get to."

Many were surprised when Rovers decided to sell Jason Wilcox to Leeds. But Duff's form and continuing progress has put that into context.

"Anyone who has seen him play this season would understand why the club made that decision," added the manager.

Meanwhile, too much notice should not be taken of the fact that Ewood chief scout John Seasman was in Oslo at the weekend to check on the Stabaek-Rosenborg game.

Two Rosenborg defenders were mentioned in connection with Rovers, Bjorn Bragstad and Andre Bergdolmo.

But the club are simply mounting a 'blanket-style' operation, monitoring as many clubs and players as they can between now and the end of the season before identifying specific targets. As Souness said himself, it is logical for any ambitious English club to check on Rosenborg who are not only the top side in Norway but have distinguished themselves in the Champions' League in recent years.

Rovers, however, might face problems depending on which players they ultimately decide to pursue.

For Norwegian observers pointed out that it is the Premiership which is the main attraction in persuading players to quit a club like Rosenborg.

One said: "Both Bragstad and Bergdolmo, for example, are established internationals who would be unlikely to feel like swapping Rosenborg and the Champions' League for the Nationwide League in England.

"If Blackburn were to go back up to the Premier League that would be a different matter."

The Easter Monday game against Charlton at Ewood is set to go ahead as scheduled (kick-off 3pm). There are internationals that week but they are only friendlies and the 48-hour reporting rule will be relaxed by most.

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