Blackburn manager Steve Kean has accepted defeat in his attempt to secure the permanent signing of former loan star Jermaine Jones. The midfielder is being priced out of Rovers' reach by German side Schalke. The Rovers boss wanted to bring the 29-year-old back to Ewood Park, but is now looking elsewhere after being unable to strike a deal with the Bundesliga outfit. Jones was frozen out at Schalke after a row with then boss Felix Magath. After a change of management, the club are no longer so eager to part company with the player and are demanding £10 million for his services. Also a target for Serie A side Roma, Jones would prefer to return to Rovers, where he made 15 appearances for Rovers last season in a defensive midfield role.
That's a shame, he did OK for us at the end of last season. Certainly no star player, but a good squad member.