BLACKBURN Rovers are determined to keep hold of skipper Chris Samba this month – with the giant defender expected to be ‘priced out of the market’.

Samba’s future will continue to be the subject of much speculation until the close of the January transfer window but Rovers’ owners Venky’s see him as a key man in their bid for Premier League survival.

Sources close to the player and from the club have told the Lancashire Telegraph they don’t expect Samba to quit Ewood Park this month after admitting it is unlikely any club would meet their high valuation of him.

QPR are reported to be lining up a £6million move for the 27-year-old, while Spurs are again interested in the centre half, but neither are expected to go close to the money wanted by Rovers, understood to be well in excess of £10m.

No official bids have yet been made for the Congolese international and, while there are expected to be departures this month, Samba is not being considered as one who will leave East Lancashire.

A source close to Venky’s said Rovers’ owners consider Samba as “irreplaceable” and, with him under contract until 2015, the expected list of suitors are set to be disappointed.

Efforts meanwhile are continuing to improve Steve Kean’s injury-hit squad ahead of what is expected to be a nervy relegation battle.

Rovers are expected to largely have to rely on loan deals over the next few weeks, with limited transfer funds available, although the potential sale of Junior Hoilett would boost Kean’s kitty.

Hoilett’s negotiations over signing a new contract are still stalling and, with his deal expiring in the summer, Rovers would be prepared to sell the winger if the price was right.

It remains doubtful though whether any club would be willing to pay what Venky’s would want for Hoilett, with him yet to really hit top form this season.

Michel Salgado, Jason Roberts and Keith Andrews are all expected to be sold this month, as the club attempt to lower the high wage bill, but Kean is still unlikely to be able to make any significant permanent signings until money is brought in to the club through sales.

Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha remains a player on Kean’s wish list but, with several other clubs in the race for him, Rovers initial attempts of a loan deal will be rebuffed.