Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean is preparing for the possible loss of skipper Chris Samba by lining up a move for Sporting Gijon defender Alberto Botia, according to the Daily Mail.

Samba has recently expressed his desire to leave Rovers in January, admitting his lack of commitment to the club.

Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur have both been credited with an interest in the giant defender, and Kean has reportedly identified 22-year-old Botia as the man to fill Samba's boots should he force a move away from the club.

Blackburn resume domestic duties at home to Newcastle on February 1.