ALL ROVER? NO CHANCE

Smallwood’s contract is up at Blackburn but the midfielder will not copy Charlton rebel Taylor and is determined to help at Ewood

RICHIE SMALLWOOD knows exactly how Charlton Athletic contract rebel Lyle Taylor felt.

But the Blackburn Rovers midfielder chose a different path.

While Addicks boss Lee Bowyer and his striker try to thrash out an agreement that will see the Charlton man play for the rest of the season, Smallwood had no reservations about signing up beyond June 30.

Like Taylor, the former Middlesbrough trainee, 29, had offers on the table.

But, instead of refusing to put on his boots for the run-in, Smallwood wants to do his bit – if he can.

He has spent the majority of the season on the outside looking in as boss Tony Mowbray tried to keep up with the promotion hunters.

Smallwood said: “I was going to be out of contract on June 30, but there was never a doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t play on.

“Like Lyle, I do have options. But it was business as usual for me. I want to play for Blackburn if I can, even if that meant playing on beyond June.

“Up until now, I’ve not played much. The manager wants to move the team forward and I’ve not been part of that. It’s his opinion.

“For me, it’s a case of being patient. He’s not treated me like a bad egg, he’s always spoken to me.

“But it started to become an issue the longer lockdown went on. I never reached the point – even when it was likely that the season would be extended – where I wouldn’t have played for Blackburn.

“I’m not having a go at Lyle, I totally understand where he is coming from. He’s not the only one. There are a few lads out there on the verge of life-changing money.

“I totally get it – you get one shot. He’s around 30, you’re perceived that you’re not getting younger, your legs might not be as fresh.

“He doesn’t want to jeopardise that. It’s just that I’ve gone down a different path.”

Smallwood added: “Fortunately, it looks as if I do have options. There has been interest, which is great.

“Even if there is nothing for me at Blackburn after next month, I’d like to do my bit over the course of the next nine games, if I can.

“Maybe the manager will see something that might make him keep me.

“I’ve always worked on the basis that I look to secure a new contract. If I can make an impression in the next nine games, I might get one.”

HULL’S survival prospects have been dealt a big blow with five contract rebels ruled out of their battle to stay in the Championship. Captain Eric Lichaj (left), defender Stephen Kingsley and midfielder Jackson Irvine (right) have all failed to agree new short-term GETTING STUCK IN Smallwood vowed to play on, unlike Charlton contract rebel Taylor deals for the run-in. On-loan Marcus Maddison, who only joined from Peterborough in January, will also leave the club with the key men all becoming free agents on June 30. And relegation-rivals Barnsley have failed to extend the loan deal of Mallik Wilks, although the winger will be available for Hull’s two games against Charlton and Birmingham in the next 10 days. The Tigers’ squad has been left seriously depleted, but boss Grant Mccann says he only wants players who are 100 per cent committed. He said: “It is always a tough decision to let lads go who have helped the club on and off the field, but all the decisions are made in the best interests of the club. “At this stage of the season, we only want fully-committed players.”

A LEADING bookmaker has stopped taking bets on player transfers. It comes after Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge (below) was banned for four months after breaking FA rules on gambling after bets were placed in January 2018 on a potential transfer when he left Anfield. The FA also charged England full-back Kieran Trippier, who did not place a bet himself but blamed banter with friends on bets being placed on him joining Atletico Madrid from Tottenham. Betway’s head of communications Alan Alger said: “By eliminating transfer betting we hope to encourage a shift change across the industry and get these markets closed. “We want betting to be focused on what happens on the pitch.”