STEVE Kean believes Chris Samba is not yet ready to be thrown back into Blackburn Rovers’ relegation scrap – despite his side looking to end their unwanted Premier League defensive record.

Rovers have gone the longest time without a clean sheet in one season in Premier League history and are just three games off Sheffield United’s top flight record of 26 games without a shut out, which was set in 1975/76.

Samba’s continued absence is a huge blow ahead of tomorrow’s trip to the Emirates Stadium, with Kean admitting he is “fit and available” but is again not being considered for the inclusion in the squad, having handed in a transfer request last month.

Rovers insisted no questions on the ‘Samba saga’ yesterday although Kean was adamant the giant defender’s continued absence was the club’s decision, after being understood to have held talks yesterday.

The Rovers boss was also adamant experienced defender Ryan Nelsen was “a long way from being match fit” despite seeing the Kiwi going straight into Spurs’ squad for their trip to Anfield on Monday.

Nelsen was released from his Ewood contract late on Tuesday, with Rovers thinking he was set for a return to old club DC United, but his shock signing for title challengers Spurs has raised a few eyebrows.

Fellow experienced defender Michel Salgado is also expected to leave Rovers imminently, with the Spaniard currently in talks with clubs abroad.

Kean said: “Chris is fit, available but will not be in the squad. It is from our side. Chris handed in a request and we denied that and we will move forward when the time is appropriate but he is not going to be in the squad.

“We have lost Ryan but he had not been playing in the side. We have looked quite tight the way we have been controlling the last few away games. We’re just happy we are getting people out of the treatment room.

“We need to attempt to pick up points and if we can add a clean sheet then great. We have always said our attacking options come from having a solid base and we have looked solid.

“You look at the game against Everton, Manchester United and Liverpool and we have kept the opportunities for the opposition really low. We feel we are not far away from a clean sheet but we just keep working away on it.”

Spurs assistant boss Kevin Bond said former Rovers skipper Nelsen had “been fit for weeks” and that he would be involved immediately for the Londoners.

“His knee was giving him a lot of problems before he went to New Zealand and from the second and third opinion they said they knew his knee was screaming and he had to manage it,” said Kean.

“The opportunity to go to the club in America came up in a coaching or managing capacity while he tried to get himself back to full fitness and it was something he wanted to take.

“He came in to see me on Wednesday and said the Spurs thing was right at the last minute. There was no medical, just a late phone call and he has 12 or 13 week contract and now has a window to show he can compete and we hope it clicks for him.

“You have to take the players opinion. When you say to a player what's it like, and he says it's painful you have to make a decision. Nelly as a person, if he is saying to you he is not one hundred per cent, you have to believe him.

“He has certainly not been fit for weeks because he has not played in many games. He has played 70 minutes of a reserve match and before that he has not played for months. He may look fit because his body looks in good shape but he is a long way from being match fit.”