Blackburn Rovers owner Anuradha Desai has reportedly told unsettled defender Chris Samba that he cannot leave the club until the summer.

The Rovers skipper was delivered the news via a conference call following his decision to hand in a transfer request earlier in the week.

Desai, however, is understood to have told the 27-year-old that he must stay and aid the club's fight against relegation this season.

Club boss Steve Kean recently stated: "He knows he is not for sale and we won't welcome any more bids. Hopefully we can now move on."

Samba joined the club from Hertha BSC in 2007.