CHRIS Sutton today signed up for an extra four years with Blackburn Rovers, accepting a deal that ties him to Ewood until the summer of 2003.

It's the biggest deal yet handed out by the club in their determination to secure all their stars on long-term contracts.

And, coming just before Sunday's crunch showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford, it's one of the biggest boosts that both club and supporters could have had.

Sutton has been in sizzling form this season, recapturing the style and goals which persuaded Rovers to sign him from Norwich for a then British record fee of £5 million in the summer of 1994.

He has put injury problems behind him and currently tops the Premiership goal charts alongside Dennis Bergkamp.

A new deal has been in the offing for some time and makes nonsense of the recent national tabloid story claiming he was on his way to Arsenal.

That came at the time of Sutton's call-up to the England squad and his first senior cap.

But Rovers clearly never had any intention of letting him go.

They want him to continue to spearhead the great revival which has taken place at Ewood.

After agreeing the deal, Sutton said: "It feels great to have my future sorted out.

"I am very happy with the set-up at Rovers, there is great respect for Roy Hodgson and the team are getting good results."

Rovers' chief executive John Williams added: "This deal clearly demonstrates the commitment and determination of Jack Walker and the board to ensure Rovers are in a position to challenge for honours now and in the future."

Sutton's contract is a major investment for the club but should prove a wise one.

His present deal was due to expire in 1999 but that scenario has now been extended by four years and means he should spend the prime time of his career with Rovers.

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