Blackburn eye Reo-Coker swoop

Blackburn are eyeing a summer swoop for Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.

Reo-Coker, one of six claret and blue players available for transfer, was a loan target for Rovers in January but turned down a move.

But that has not deterred Sam Allardyce and the out-of-favour 26-year-old, who was involved in a training ground bust-up with boss Martin O'Neill last September, is thought to remain very much on the Ewood Park chief's radar.

The £7.5million signing from West Ham in July 2007 has one year left to run on his contract at Villa Park and would command a fee of around £4million.

But sources close to the player have revealed the star remains happy in the Second City and will only leave if a move is right for him.

The source said: "Nigel loves playing at the club and enjoys being at Villa. At the moment he is planning to return for pre-season, but anything can happen in football.

"It has become obvious that he is available for transfer, but it is too early for that and any move would have to suit Nigel and be right for the player.

"He likes the club and wants to stay. He had the chance to go to Blackburn on loan but it wasn't right for him so he didn't go.

"He has a good relationship with the fans at Villa and is prepared to challenge for his place."