Sam Allardyce handed £10m transfer budget to save Blackburn

Sam Allardyce will be given a transfer budget to buy Blackburn Rovers out of relegation trouble - after winning backing from the club's owners.

Allardyce charmed his way into the Rovers job - and opened up the kitty - with a interview speech that convinced the late Jack Walker's Trustees to pledge cash of around £10 million.

Rovers will now let Allardyce bring in three or four new faces next month - and he does not have to sell Roque Santa Cruz or Stephen Warnock to raise that amount.

Santa Cruz has an escape clause that means he can decide on the move if Manchester City meet the figure, but Allardyce hopes he will stay and plans to get the best out of his current staff.

However Allardyce won key financial backing during the interview process at the end of what insiders describe as a 'memorable performance.'

Allardyce persuaded the Rovers powers-that-be of his ability to sort out their problems to the extent that the club's Trustees will open up the cheque book after doubts about backing Paul Ince.

Blackburn's long-term future is on the line in the next few games, starting with the 'mammoth' match with Stoke City tomorrow. But the men who fund the club from Jersey, Jack Walker's 'trusties,' were sold on Allardyce's knowledge.

Ince had given Rovers a list of targets, which was part of the breakdown of his relationship with Rovers. The Trustees met to discuss funding those deals and, on the back of doubts about his ability, they kept their hands in their pockets.

However the money men, who have David Brown and Richard Matthewman as their voices on the club's board, have told Allardyce there will be cash to go for players to turn them round.

Allardyce plans to get his under-achieving side playing fast and said: "You can't rebuild Rome overnight but we have a good squad here already. If we can regain the confidence and perform consistently as they did last season.

"It would be unfair of me and on everybody on the playing side to talk about where the team needs strengthening. I've not had the opportunity to work with the players."

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