Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is pleased Christopher Samba has signed his new contract.

Congo international Samba signed a new four-and-a-half year deal this week.

Allardyce said: "The core strength of your side lies down the middle: your goalkeeper, your centre-halves, your midfield and forwards.

"You build the rest of your side around that and Chris' experience in the Premier League is invaluable to us as a team.

"At his young age it is securing a valuable asset as well as a very good Premier League player. We are all delighted he has signed a longer-term contract."