Ooijer admits Blackburn Rovers future is still in doubt

10:07am Tuesday 4th November 2008

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DUTCH international Andre Ooijer admits his Blackburn Rovers future is still up in the air with his contract set to expire this summer.

The 34-year-old defender is expected to start talks at Ewood Park this month but could be tempted by a move back home, as a string of Dutch clubs continue to track him.

Ooijer has struggled for a regular starting role this campaign, with Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba the first choice centre back partnership, and first-team football is understood to be high on his priorities as his career comes to an end.

Currently sidelined by a swollen knee, having started matches against Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Bolton, Ooijer is believed to be attracting interest from AZ Alkmaar and former club PSV Eindhoven.

Rovers and the player himself will be keen to finalise his future before January, but any transfer before the summer would involve a fee with the club not willing to release him before then.

Ooijer is keen on securing a two-year deal and that could tip the balance on any decision on his future, with Rovers only likely to offer another 12-month extension.

Ooijer said: “My contract is finishing at the end of the season, so we will see what happens.

“I don’t know what is going to happen, so who can say.

“Competition is all over the pitch and that is a good thing for the team. You always enjoy the game if you are playing though, of course that is always good.”

The defender arrived in Lancashire in August 2006 from PSV Eindhoven, for a fee around £2million, and signed a two-year deal with the option of a one-year extension.