Rovers eye new deal for Pedersen

Blackburn chairman John Williams hopes to tie winger Morten Gamst Pedersen to a new contract in the next month.

The 27-year-old enjoyed a resurgence under Sam Allardyce with the Norwegian showing a return to form late in the season as Rovers secured their Barclays Premier League future. Williams is now planning negotiations to extend Pedersen's current deal, which expires at the end of next season.

"That's something we will look at over the next couple of weeks," said Williams. "I will have to sit down and talk to Sam about Morten's situation, but I think all parties are willing to get something sorted."

Midfielder Brett Emerton is confident of being fit for the start of the campaign, which begins at home to Manchester City on August 15.

The Australia international missed the last four months of the season after undergoing surgery on a ruptured knee ligament.

"Everything's going really well," the 30-year-old told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"I've been running for quite some time now and I'll be looking to rejoin the team during pre-season."