Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace admits he's frustrated that talks with Ipswich Town about the potential sale of Sammie Szmodics continue to drag on.

The two clubs have been in negotiations since the Blues saw an initial bid of around £6m rejected almost three weeks ago.

Szmodics scored an impressive 27 goals for a Rovers side that finished 19th in the Championship table last season, breaking into the Republic of Ireland set-up as a result.

Blues boss Kieran McKenna is keen to bolster an attacking unit that looks thin on the ground ahead of a step up to the Premier League. Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst have suffered pre-season injuries, while a deal for Hull's Jaden Philogene collapsed.

Blackburn's campaign starts on Friday night with the visit of Derby County, while Ipswich's season begins with a home clash against Liverpool the following weekend.

"It's very important that we get this sorted with Sammie, one way or the other," Eustace told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"We want him to stay at the football club, he's a terrific player. He's one of the best players in the Championship and if we can keep him, it'll be fantastic.

"It's important that we sort his future out as quickly as we can because it's not fair on the lad and it's not fair on the club.

"I'm surprised that nothing has been done. It is a bit frustrating but we have to get it sorted one way or the other.

"It has been disruptive but it's out of my hands, I can't do much about it. We get on with it, we have a great squad of players that can come in and fill different positions if they're needed. There are no issues."

On whether Szmodics could feature in his side's Championship opener on Friday night, Eustace added: "Sammie is short of match fitness, he hasn't been in any of the pre-season games really.

"He hasn't been training with the group as much as he'd want to either because of all the different things going on. He is short of match fitness.

"We'll have to wait and see. What I will say is that he's a fantastic professional and when called upon, he'll be 100% committed and ready to go.

"Sam is a top, top player at this level. Would we like him in the starting XI? Of course, we would. Eventually, that might happen.

"At the moment, he hasn't trained or played for the last three or four weeks. We have to protect the lad as well.

"(Could he be involved?) Possibly, we'll have to wait and see.

"Yes (I'd like to draw a line in the sand) but again that's out of my hands. That is up to the club, they're talking and they're in charge of the money side. My job is to coach the team."