CHRIS SUTTON is taking legal advice over allegations in today's national newspapers that he was one of the guests with the Blackburn Rovers party at Cheltenham on Wednesday, writes PETER WHITE.

The £5m striker was, in fact, training at Brockhall that day as he battles his way back to full fitness following a severe chest infection.

Sutton confirmed today: "Yes I am taking legal advice. I find this all very upsetting.

"It's very frustrating to see stories like this when I wasn't even there.

"My main concern is that the people who know me are aware of the truth and I want the fans to know as well. It's frustrating, but I have become thick-skinned over the years over this type of thing. But it is still very disappointing to read something like this."

I saw Sutton training on Wednesday and so did a number of other Rovers supporters who were at Brockhall to watch the B team's rearranged game against Crewe.

Caretaker boss Tony Parkes said: "Chris has been moving house and working hard all week on the training ground.

"It just makes a mockery of the whole story when you see a picture of him supposedly at Cheltenham. "They put a photograph of Chris in the Daily Mirror and photographs are far more damaging than words."

Sutton will not be ready to play for Rovers against Wimbledon tomorrow after his illness caused him to lose a substantial amount of weight and left him feeling drained. But the striker is hoping that he might be able to figure next week.

Meanwhile, both Rovers and Arsenal have strenuously denied there has been any contact about a supposed £4m transfer for Graeme Le Saux from Ewood to Highbury.

Le Saux was in London on Wednesday and that seems to be where the stories have stemmed from. There has been speculation for some time about his future though he is still under contract with Rovers.

Parkes added that the defender had told him he had not spoken to Arsene Wenger, contrary to a report in one national newspaper.

Indeed, Le Saux is believed to have simply been making arrangements for his wedding this summer at the same hotel Arsenal use as a base.

Rovers chairman Rob Coar said: "There has been no approach for Graeme by Arsenal or any other club.

"The situation has not changed at Blackburn and none of our first team players are for sale.

"The story is likely to be unfounded."

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