Michael Owen Is Too Injury Prone, Expensive & Risky For Blackburn Rovers - Sam Allardyce

Michael Owen is far too risky a prospect for Sam Allardyce to ever consider signing, the Blackburn Rovers manager has revealed today. Allardyce thinks that the former England international's history of injury and his high wage demands make him a far from wise investment for the Lancastrian outfit.

'Big Sam' has conceded that he is in urgent need of a striker, following the departure of Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City this week, but is not putting himself in the market for Owen, who has been linked with a host of clubs since the season ended. Everton and Aston Villa have emerged as strong contenders for his siugnature, according to recent reports.

"If all the money I have available has to go on the striker, it all has to go on the striker and that's it," Allardyce affirmed to Sky Sports News.

"We're not going to sign any more players in any other positions just yet, until we've secured the player up front as quick as we can. We'll have a look and see what we need from there."

When asked about whether Owen would be a potential target, Allardyce replied, "No, not for me. I don't think that we can afford him.

"I think that from my point of view, from being with him at Newcastle [United], it's always been the injury threat.

"I can ill-afford to sign a player who's going to be out the team, unless they can gurantee me 30 plus games a year. At this stage, unfortunately for Michael, if you look at his last three years, I can't take a gamble on that."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com