SAM Allardyce will not be taking advantage of Newcastle United’s summer sale as the Blackburn Rovers boss focuses his own transfer search elsewhere.

A number of his former club’s stars have been linked with a move to Rovers in recent weeks, after Newcastle’s relegation has left them desperate to reduce a crippling wage bill - but Allardyce is not interested in taking from the Toon.

Michael Owen, Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith and Ryan Taylor have all been linked with an Ewood Park switch in recent weeks but the Lancashire Telegraph understood none are on Allardyce’s radar this summer.

A move for midfield bad-boy Barton was ruled out by Allardyce soon after the season end, due to his well publicised off-field problems, and it is now understood interest in any of his team mates is highly unlikely.

Allardyce had been expected to set up a reunion with energetic midfielder Nolan, after their spell together at Bolton, but the Rovers boss believes he can get better value for money elsewhere.

He is continuing to track Amiens midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, dubbed the next Patrick Vieira, while other midfielders are also on his wanted list as he continues his bid for a box-to-box player.

The versatile Ryan Taylor was on Allardyce’s wish-list last January but now, with the player seemingly available again, Rovers believe they have already filled that void with the addition of El-Hadji Diouf.

Michael Owen would probably fit the bill at Ewood Park, with Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbyshire destined for summer exits, but huge wage demands would leave any Rovers interest pointless.

The search for a Santa Cruz replacement is continuing, although any advanced talks remain on hold until their Paraguayan talisman’s future is sorted out - leaving Matt Derbyshire also playing a waiting game as clubs clamour for his signature.

Reports of a £2.5million move for Alan Smith continue to surface as well but sources from both Newcastle and Blackburn indicated Rovers have shown absolutely no interest in the former England man.