REPORTS that David Batty was ordered to train with the Ewood juniors, along with other stories, were blasted today by Blackburn Rovers chairman Robert Coar.

Clearly angry, Mr Coar took the unusual step of issuing a special statement after local radio repeated the allegations made in national newspapers this morning.

He said: "We are most concerned about the inaccurate and unfounded reports in the national Press and on radio during the last few days.

"There seems to have been little effort to authenticate stories. For example:

"One: David Batty has NOT 'walked out'.

"Two: David Batty trained voluntarily yesterday (Monday). The first team squad were not due to report back for training this week until today (Tuesday).

"He was NOT ordered to train with the juniors.

"Three: "David Batty has reported for training today.

"We trust those who have reported inaccurately will now correct their reports."

Batty's representative Paul Stretford has also said he is "very unhappy" with some of the reporting of the situation between player and club in the national Press. No-one can pretend the situation is ideal. Far from it and the longer it rumbles on the worse it could get.

It is impossible not to feel that Batty will leave Ewood sooner or later.

But the facts are that Batty went in voluntarily yesterday and trained with the other full professionals who were in, mainly younger players, but also including Paul Warhurst, Matty Holmes and Graham Fenton.

Last week, there were hysterical reports that Batty had gone "on strike".

But, as we revealed, he was at Brockhall on Wednesday.

Stretford said: "I was very unhappy with what was in the newspapers last week about David staying away from the club.

"He is training as normal, rather than looking to stay away.

"With what has happened, it is important he keeps his fitness."

Batty has stayed silent ever since the situation developed last Friday week and Stretford stressed: "He doesn't want to say anything at all at this stage."

Meanwhile, Chris Sutton is a little nearer resuming full training again.

The striker saw the specialist for a check on his injured ankle and was advised to have another week of treatment and continue to restrict his build-up to gym work. Hopefully, he will be able to start light training with some running next week.

But Rovers will be careful not to rush him and cause the problem to flare up again.

Rovers' Lancashire FA Youth Cup semi-final away to Preston North End has been arranged for Monday, March 4, at Deepdale (kick-off 7pm).

Tickets are currently on sale for the "live" screening at Ewood of the Premiership game away to Manchester United on Saturday week, February 10.

The Darwen End, with 8,000 seats available, is being used to accommodate fans for the showing and a number of tickets have already been snapped up.

They are on sale at Ewood during normal office hours, price £6 adults, £3 concessions.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.