Steve Kean claims to have been given 'mixed signals' regarding Martin Olsson's future at Blackburn, but insists the defender has not been unsettled.
Rovers boss claims full-back told him he was happy to stay
Steve Kean claims to have been given 'mixed signals' regarding Martin Olsson's future at Blackburn, but insists the defender has not been unsettled.
It appeared as though the Sweden international wanted out of Ewood Park following relegation into the Championship, something he confirmed during an interview in his homeland on Thursday.
Kean, though, has refuted any suggestion that Rovers knocked back bids for the 24-year-old and is blaming the uncertainty on meddling representatives.
He says Olsson expressed commitment to the collective cause during summer discussions with the full-back and is confident he will have no problem slipping back into the side once he has returned to full fitness following major groin surgery.
"We had no bids on Friday (deadline day) for Martin and we are glad of that," Kean told the
Lancashire Telegraph.
"He is not 100 per cent fit, even though he has been away with Sweden. It has been a long time since he has played but he is still here and we are delighted about that.
Agents
"We were getting mixed signals. I spoke to Martin many times and he said he wanted to get back in the team, then you have agents or agents on behalf of other agents saying his agent had told them he was desperate to get away.
"You can only speak with the player and when they tell you they want to get their head down and stay at the club, then that is good news."
Kean has also expressed his concern at Sweden's decision to include an unfit Olsson in their squad for the start of 2014 World Cup qualifying.
He added: "We are very frustrated that Martin went away with Sweden. We contacted them and said we did not think he was in a physical state. He was technically fit but had not played any minutes.
"We asked if he could stay at the club and build back into some training and they were adamant they wanted him over.
"If he was pushed into a game it could push him into an injury. He is getting over a groin injury we had to be careful with. We asked if he could stay, they said no."
