Jon Dahl Tomasson sends Lewis Travis transfer message after Blackburn Rovers absence
The Blackburn Rovers man has been the subject of interest this summer
Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has insisted that the club won’t sell Lewis Travis on the cheap this summer.
The club captain has three years left on his contract at Ewood Park and Rovers rejected a bid from Millwall earlier in the window. The Lions saw a £800k offer knocked back by Blackburn – who do need to generate transfer funds through player sales where possible.
Travis was never going to be let go for the money offered by Millwall. The midfielder played 42 Championship matches under Tomasson last season, but missed last weekend’s pre-season friendly at Accrington Stanley due to a ‘family matter’. He will join up with the squad in Austria this week, though, and Tomasson still views him as a vital member of the squad.
“Every player who plays a lot of games… Trav as captain did that last season,” said Tomasson. “If players want to go away, then the club needs to receive a big amount of money. Trav is an important player.”
On the incoming front, Rovers have brought Niall Ennis, Arnor Sigurdsson and Sondre Tronstad through the door. Tomasson has been pleased with the success in the overseas market, which presents opportunities once again after the Governing Body Endorsement rules were relaxed.
“Yeah, and I think we’ve already used that a bit which is really nice,” said Tomasson. “In England, players earn a hell of a lot of money and in Europe it’s a lot less. Then you can compete if you can do your homework well.
“I’m happy with the three players we have, of course two of those are European, but still we can’t wait until the last days with these three players. We’ve already seen with the way that I want to play football it can take time. That’s why you have a recruitment department.”
READ MORE:I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join Larne, says keeper Aidan Dowling
Giant shot-stopper Aidan Dowling insists joining Larne from Blackburn Rovers was a ‘no-brainer’.
The 20-year-old, who was at Ewood Park from 2019, having progressed from the club’s academy through to the Under-21s, is primed to challenge Rohan Ferguson for the No.1 jersey.
Dowling arrives just at the right time, ahead of Inver Park team’s Champions League debut against HJK Helsinki at the Bolt Arena tomorrow.
“It was a no-brainer for me to join Larne, it was an opportunity that I thought I had to take,” said the Manchester-born Dowling. “I spoke to the gaffer (Tiernan Lynch) and he told me the way the club was going.
“I’ve been in for a week or two and I’ve been involved in a few friendlies. It’s a good group of lads, good quality players, I’m really happy to be here.
“There is a lot going on at this club, that was the main incentive why I came here. I’m really excited… before I arrived, I knew that the club would be playing in Europe.
“It’s a big moment for the club and for me personally. It’s a big opportunity, but we must try to push on and get a positive result to try and stay in the competition as long as possible.”
Dowling insists the competition for the goalkeeping shirt will benefit both him and Ferguson.
“I can’t emphasise enough what a good guy he (Ferguson) is,” he added. “We’ve a great group, including the goalkeeper coach Al (Alan Blayney).
“It’s important for me to push Rohan as well as he pushes me. It’s such a competitive group, but that’s what is required at this level. I want to do my bit, work hard for the club and the gaffer. I really enjoy training, everything is good quality and good standard. I can’t wait to push on and do my bit for the team.
“It’s a big chance for me to make a breakthrough in senior football after all I’ve learnt at Blackburn. I have been at Blackburn all my career, although I’ve been out on loan on a few occasions at non-League clubs.
“I suppose I could be classed as a traditional goalkeeper, big and strong. I like to dominate in the box, use my presence, more than anything else.
“I’ve come here to be in and round the first team, something I lacked at Blackburn, I’m just relishing the moment. The club are League champions, so we must make sure we have another good year.”
