FORMER club captain Garry Flitcroft insists Blackburn Rovers must resolve their differences with Chris Samba immediately or face a daunting task in avoiding Premier League relegation.

Samba has not been involved in any of Blackburn’s last five matches, including Saturday’s 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal, and last month spoke publicly of his desire to quit Ewood Park.

Despite a lack of first-team action, the wantaway skipper was initially included in a provisional reserve squad that hosted Carlisle United in a behind-closed-doors game yesterday.

However, the 27-year-old did not play in the match that finished 3-3 at Brockhall.

His non-appearance may suggest he is now not ready for Saturday’s crucial visit of fellow Premier League strugglers QPR, and manager Steve Kean admitted after the weekend’s loss at Arsenal that he “has no idea” whether Samba will be in his squad to take on the Hoops.

It is a situation which has left ex-Rovers skipper Flitcroft fearful for his former club, with their top-flight status under threat with little over a third of the campaign remaining.

Flitcroft suffered relegation with Blackburn back in 1999, but believes there is enough quality in this current Rovers crop to survive the drop, so long as Samba is back on the team-sheet.

“It’s got to be for the good of the club that Chris Samba is back out on the pitch,” said the 39-year-old. “It’s up to Chris and Steve Kean to sort things out.

“He’s missed the last couple of matches and it’s showing. Rovers have lacked his drive and presence throughout the entire team.

“For me, he’s one of the first names on the teamsheet. He’s got to be out there helping the younger lads.

“Fair play to some of the young lads, they’ve pushed into the first team and done quite well in difficult circumstances.

“But there’s occasions, like against Arsenal, where you need your best players and Chris comes into that category.”

Flitcroft added: “It shows when he plays for Blackburn that he gives everything. He’s a big presence on the pitch and in the dressing room.

“I’m sure his absence will have had a bearing on team spirit. There’s been a number of players that have left the club this season, but missing Chris on the pitch seems to be biggest blow of them all.”

Samba has been banished to the club’s reserves since insisting last month that it “will be very difficult” for him to play for Rovers again, and having submitted a transfer request that was rejected.

He accused owners Venky’s of breaking promises made to him when he signed his last contract and said the club did not meet his ambitions.

While understanding Samba’s concerns, Flitcroft believes the Congo defender must honour his contract and put his grievances to one side for the good of the club.

“I think it works two ways,” said the former midfielder, now the manager of non-league Chorley.

“When he signed his new contract, Chris said he was told that a lot of big name players were going to be bought and I can understand why he’d be upset that they’ve not come in.

“He’s thinking that once the new owners come in, that new players will arrive and the club will be heading in an upwards direction. I can see where he is coming from.

“But by the same token he’s contracted to play football for Blackburn Rovers and, no matter how he feels about things, he’s paid good money to represent the club on the football pitch.

“The captaincy is a big privilege. From my point of view, it was the greatest moment of my career to captain Rovers. I’m sure Chris Samba thinks like that as well.”