Gally: Big Sam needs the cash to boost Blackburn Rovers attack

With Matt Derbyshire on the verge of completing a £3m move to Greek champions Olympiakos and Roque Santa Cruz reportedly close to clinching a £15m switch to Manchester City, Rovers will be left short of firepower.

But Allardyce should have the subsequent resources to reinforce his attacking options, provided he is given the cash banked from his outgoing strikers.

That is the view of former Ewood striker Gallacher, pictured right, who feels the Rovers board must give Allardyce everything he needs to compete in an inflated transfer market.

“I really hope Sam is given the money he needs to bring in the right players,” said the Scot, who spent six seasons at Ewood Park. “We’re losing Matt Derbyshire and it seems as though Roque will be leaving.

“There’s talk that we could get upto £18m for the pair.

“With the way the transfer market has inflated, Sam would need to be given almost all of that money.

“It’s funny. Way back when Blackburn signed Alan Shearer for £3.3m and Chris Sutton for £5m, people said then that the market was inflated.

“But nowadays, £5m will barely get you a decent striker from the Championship.

“If Sam is given around £15m, it may just be enough to bring in the right amount of quality. But he’s known for picking up a bargain and he may have to look for one again.”

Derbyshire, 23, is expected to finalise his move to Olympiakos on Monday after Rovers accepted a second offer from the Greek side, believed to be in the region of £3m.

And Gallacher feels it is the right move for the Blackburn-born striker – who was not part of Allardyce’s first-team plans – insisting a goal-laden time in Greece would enhance his international prospects.

“If Matt can enjoy some success out there in Greece, then all the better for him and his career,” said Gallacher.

“He was a success for England U21 and he will be thinking that a good spell overseas could help his international chances.”