Loan pair to extend stay

ATHLETIC have extended the loans of Blackburn Rovers pair Alex Marrow and Nick Blackman until January.

Manager Dave Penney is delighted to have secured the pair for at least half the season.

Marrow, who can play either in defence or midfield, has featured in four league games so far and scored his first goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Swindon Town.

Blackman, meanwhile, made an impressive debut last Saturday when he linked up well with Pawel Abbott.

Penney said: “Both players have been excellent. Alex is big, strong and versatile, while Nick gives us something different up front. He is a bigger striker, a physical presence with pace.”

“We are delighted Sam Allardyce and Neil McDonald have let us borrow them and we will do our best to educate them and get the best out of them until January.”

Penney added that the decision to release Darren Byfield, who had been on a week-to-week contract, was influenced by the arrival of Blackman.

Meanwhile, the Athletic manager insisted there have been no bids for the highly-rated Chris Taylor despite further speculation this week.