It would be Rover the top to lose Travis as Rams linked

BLACKBURN Rovers have been warned against selling Lewis Travis to Derby County after being told it would represent a “massive blow” to lose a key player to their rivals.

- By LEIGH CURTIS

Rovers are set for a big summer given the mounting unrest over the club's direction after missing out on the Championship play-offs last season.

John Eustace left Ewood Park in February to take over as the Rams head coach after Paul Warne had been sacked and since then the Derby boss has been linked with several of his former Blackburn players.

Recently, there have been claims that Eustace is keen on a £2m deal for midfielder Travis, who is Rovers captain.

A deal would represent a huge statement of intent from Derby but for Rovers it would only heighten concerns about the club’s future under their owners, the Venkys.

Fan and Rovers pundit Simon Middlehurst told Football League World: “Obviously, he's the club captain, he was massive for us last season and has been a key part of the club in the past three years, so to sell him would be a massive blow.

“The club need to keep fans onside, so to sell him to Derby would be a massive blow given what happened last season with Eustace.”

Travis has also been linked with newly-promoted Wrexham, who are owned by Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and Middlehurst added: “Obviously, their story is well-known but to sell Travis at all just shows the wrong direction Rovers are going in.

“I personally think it shows a serious lack of intent, and it wouldn't go down well with the fans whatsoever.”

SKY Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes Cardiff City would be a step up for reported Derby County target Kamil Conteh.