INCE - ROQUE STAYING WITH ROVERS

Santa Cruz - going nowhere.

Blackburn manager Paul Ince has moved to reiterate key striker Roque Santa Cruz is not leaving.

Rovers rejected a bid for the frontman from Manchester City, now managed by former Ewood Park boss Mark Hughes, on Thursday.

And Ince, who makes his bow as a Premier League manager at Everton on Saturday, has quashed rumours any of his players are about to be sold and believes some of his top-flight rivals are trying to unsettle his squad.

"I've sat down with Roque and we've had a chat and the lad is happy to stay at Blackburn Rovers," Ince told Sky Sports News.

"It annoys me because I think there are clubs out there who are trying to unsettle my players and it's not something that I'm happy about.

"The likes of Roque and Steve Warnock, they're all staying, I don't want to sell my best players unless I want to sell them and Roque and Steve are two, definitely two players, that I don't want to sell and they definitely won't be sold.

"They're staying, as far as I'm concerned that's the end of the story."

Ince also revealed the club are close to sealing a deal with former England and Liverpool forward Robbie Fowler.

Fowler has been training with Rovers since mid-July and has impressed the manager but has not yet penned any deal.

Ince said: "Robbie's done well. His last game was October last year, that's a long time ago. He's trained ever so well and he's getting his sharpness back.

"Some of the things he's done in the last three or four days in training have been mind-blowing. He's still got it and he could be a very good asset for us if we decide to take him on.

"I'll sit down with Robbie next week and the chairman and we'll make a decision from there."

Ince has already seen last season's first-choice goalkeeper Brad Friedel depart as well as England winger David Bentley to Tottenham, while reports have surfaced in the north-east of a £9million bid from Sunderland for Benni McCarthy, although Rovers have not yet confirmed any bid.

Coupled with claims of dressing-room disharmony following Hughes' exit and Ince's arrival, it has been a tough start for the former MK Dons and Macclesfield boss.

"It's been a bit disappointing some of the press that we've had as a club, but I've enjoyed it," he said.

Utility man Brett Emerton is set to be included in Ince's squad for the trip to Goodison Park. The Australian suffered a bruised foot in a pre-season game against Benfica but should be fit, as should Santa Cruz despite a recent Achilles problem.

Also available will be Ryan Nelsen after his return from Olympics duty with New Zealand, although new loan signing Carlos Villanueva is not expected to feature as he recovers from a bout of chicken pox.

"Carlos has been to Santiago to get his visa and his first day back is today, so we'll have a look at him in training," added Ince.

"It will take time for him to settle but he's certainly one to look out for."