Rovers boss insists Jansen has future at Ewood

Speculation in the national press is continuing to link the 22-year-old striker with a big money exit from Ewood Park.

But all the talk about the England Under 21 international has angered Rovers boss Parkes, who is adamant the former Crystal Palace star is still an integral part of his squad.

Rangers and Leeds have both been linked with a move for the skilful forward in recent weeks.

And the speculation has intensified since Jansen failed to earn a recall to the starting line-up at Portsmouth on Tuesday, despite injuries to Nathan Blake and Ashley Ward.

But Parkes insists he is still trying to nurse the player back to full fitness after a series of set-backs.

And once he has proved his fitness he will get his chance.

"All the specualtion about his future is quite disturbing," fumed Parkes.

"Every time you pick up the paper there's suggestions about his situation.

"But as far as we are concerned, nobody has shown an interest to the club.

"I keep reading about Rangers and Leeds but that's paper talk as far as I'm concerned.

"We want Matt Jansen to stay with Blackburn Rovers and help us get back in the Premiership.

"Matt is still an integral part of the club, he's part of the team, and hopefully he'll play some part of the game against Wolves."

Jansen and Egil Ostenstad are Rovers only two fit strikers at present. And with a couple of big games coming up in the next fortnight, Parkes is keen to make sure he does not rush the player back too soon.

That's why he was kept on the bench at Portsmouth's Fratton Park.

And the Rovers chief has had talks with the player to discuss his decision.

"He's had an illness, he's also had family problems where he's been down in London for a few days, and he's only played one game in the last six weeks," said Parkes.

"So he's not 100 per cent fit and I've spoken to Matt and he appreciates that.

"We've got a few days to work on him to get him a little bit fitter and, hopefully, he'll be more involved against Wolves.

"But we've also only got two strikers at the minute so if we start with two and one gets injured then it becomes more difficult to change the formation.

"I think it's easier to start with a different formation and if things aren't going right then we can slot back into a 4-4-2.

"Matt agreed with that and now he'll be getting ready for the Wolves game."

Like Rovers, the Midlanders are also on the fringes of the promotion race as the First Division programme enters a new Millennium.

And Parkes is expecting a similar scrap to the one at Fratton Park. Goalkeeper Alan Kelly will be ruled out for between four and six weeks after X-rays confirmed ligament damage in the ankle he injured at Portsmouth on Tuesday.

And striker Ashley Ward is looking at slightly longer on the sidelines as he recovers from the dislocated should he sustained on Boxing day.

"He's got to keep the arm in a sling for four weeks and then work from there," confirmed Parkes.

"Shoulder injuries are difficult ones because there can be problems in the future with them. We are keeping our fingers crossed that in six to eight weeks everything will be okay."

However, suggestions that Billy McKinlay had suffered a setback are wide of the mark, with Parkes confirming that an earlier back problem had cleared up to allow the midfield man to train for the last week or so.

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