NATHAN Blake is aiming to make an emotional return to the Reebok tomorrow to support the team he left behind. The Wales international goal star had no time to say his farewells when he ended weeks of head-spinning speculation by completing his £4.2 million transfer to Blackburn Rovers so he plans to be in the crowd as Wanderers go into battle with Peter Reid's Sunderland.

"I haven't had a chance to say goodbye to the lads," Blake admitted as he joined his new team-mates for this afternoon's Premiership game at Wimbledon - coincidentally one of the clubs who'd failed to prise him away.

"I'll probably go tomorrow and wish them all the best. It's a big game for them." Blake, who appeared to be destined for a £3 million move to Coventry 24 hours earlier, was elated after signing a five-year contract with Rovers yesterday.

"I think I have now got to the top," he added.

"It took me only minutes to make my mind up. This was a deal that just fell into my lap. Everything about Blackburn impresses me - the club, the stadium, the facilities and the manager.

"I have jumped at the chance and I have no problem with it whatsoever. I felt I did okay in the Premiership last season when I was part of a team that did not expect to be relegated. "There has been a lot of speculation concerning both Wimbledon and Coventry but I was just sitting at home on Thursday night when I got a phone call telling me that Blackburn were interested.

"An hour later I was sitting down with Roy Hodgson. It came right out of the blue, but from the moment I knew Blackburn were interested I felt it was certain to go through, providing there was no problem with personal terms.

"I'm just happy everything's been sorted so quickly and although I don't usually let speculation get to me it was starting to do my head in."

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