CHRIS Sutton today rubbished a Sunday newspaper story linking him with a £10 million move to Chelsea and told Blackburn Rovers fans - "I'm staying here."

And, even if Rovers were to go down, Sutton said he would still be prepared to stay if the club wanted him.

The striker's welcome pledge of loyalty will lift supporters after Rovers slipped back into the bottom three with defeat at West Ham on Saturday.

Sutton, who was absent injured saw yesterday's story linking him with Chelsea and immediately contacted Jack Walker to tell him there was no substance in it.

"As far as I am concerned, I will be here next year - whatever happens," he declared.

"I can't be more explicit than that.

"And I don't like seeing these stories. It makes it look as though I am looking to leave Blackburn when nothing could be further from the truth.

"It's completely ridiculous."

The speculation stems from a conversation between the player and Chelsea chairman Ken Bates' 'girlfriend' when Rovers played at Chelsea. "She just came up to me in front of a lot of people at Stamford Bridge and asked if I wanted to play for Chelsea. I thought it must be a joke but I was embarrassed by the whole thing," said Sutton.

"Personally, I've had a disastrous season but I wouldn't want people thinking I am looking to get out, because I'm not.

"If the club wanted to to sell me that's a different kettle of fish but I have no reason to suppose they do.

"I am sick of this speculation going on all the time. I am perfectly happy here and I am not interested in going anywhere.

"I do feel some loyalty to this club.

"Our injury situation has been terrible but Brian Kidd has come in and turned it round

"Look at the results since he came and he has lifted everyone's spirits."

Kidd, meanwhile, repeated his intention not to make any panic short-term buys to help haul the team out of trouble.

And, although no names were mentioned, he was clearly pointing a finger at Roy Hodgson when he said: "If it's a player I feel will have a long-term future with us then I will do it.

"But I don't want to do anything that will be a liability to the club.

"That has gone on in the past and I am not going down that road. That's for sure."

Ironically, both Kidd and Hodgson are at the heart of speculation about the next England manager.

Despite Kidd's inexperience as a number one, he is thought to have his supporters at Lancaster Gate, because of his impressive coaching record under Alex Ferguson.

Hodgson remains a clear candidate, even though he was sacked at Ewood, and the FA are still hoping to make a permanent appointment this summer. Meanwhile, Rovers' search for re-inforcements continues but it does not appear as if they have been able to make any progress over West Ham's Steve Lomas.

Chief exectuive John Williams confirmed the club had not made an official bid for Lomas, though the subject must have come up at West Ham on Saturday.

He added: "There will not be any panic but we are considering all our options at the moment."

It's not only midfield where they have a problem.

Darren Peacock faces a one-match ban following his eighth booking of the season at West Ham. He is due to miss the Coventry game when Marlon Broomes will also be in the middle of a three-game suspension.

And Rovers have now been rocked by Stephane Henchoz's call-up for Switzerland's friendly against Austria on Wednesday week, when they are due to play Everton.

The club are currently appealing to the Swiss FA for Henchoz's release but his country might insist he goes.

Goals from Jon Douglas and Lee Hardy crowned an excellent performance by the Academy under-17s as they beat Liverpool 2-0 at Brockhall. The under-19s put up a good fight at Liverpool before losing 3-2.

Rovers fought back from 2-0 down with a couple of Jon Topley strikes but Liverpool claimed a late winner on the break.

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