Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace says the ongoing transfer saga around star Sammie Szmodics 'needs to come to a resolution.'

Ipswich Town and Rovers have been locked in negotiations for the 28-year-old for weeks, with the two sides struggling to agree on a price for the Republic of Ireland international.

Szmodics missed the entire pre-season for Rovers, but came off the bench to score and set up a goal in last night's season-opening 4-2 win over Derby County.

After the game, Eustace revealed that he'd asked Szmodics if he'd be willing to play. 

"Look, it's out of my hands. I coach the team and that's what I am concentrated on," Eustace told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"Sammie has been a true role model and a proper professional with dealing with what's been going on.

"I asked him if he'd be available for 20 minutes off the bench and he said 100%, he couldn't wait to get out in front of the home fans.

"It's not been easy. He hasn't played any game in pre-season and he's trained on his own as well. It's been a difficult time for him.

"It's not fair on the lad, it's not fair on the group with what is going on. We need that to come to a resolution as quickly as it can. Then we can build a proper football team and keep the good spirit with us.

"He's a good player, isn't he? His attitude has never been in question, he's a fantastic pro.

"He's the life and soul of the dressing room, he's been going through some very difficult times in the last couple of weeks.

"He's a good player so I always expect him to be like that if he's on the pitch."

Blackburn boss John Eustace says the Szmodics saga could drag on until the end of the windowBlackburn boss John Eustace says the Szmodics saga could drag on until the end of the window (Image: PA)

Eustace added: "It's not just for me but for the whole football club, if Sammie was to stay it would be a real sign of intent,

"If he stays and we can add three of four more quality players to add to the group to make us better, then we'll have a very competitive football team.

"I'm sure it could drag on until the end of the transfer window, I'm pretty sure that will be the case. It's about managing him and the group properly."