Blackburn Rovers have approached Chelsea about extending the loan of striker Franco di Santo.

Rovers have made a formal approach to extend the Chelsea striker's loan until the end of the season, says the Lancashire Telegraph.

Di Santo was prevented from featuring against his parent club in the league this season because of Premier League rules and will also miss tomorrow's Carling Cup tie because Chelsea do not want him cup-tied.

It still remains unclear whether the Blues will allow the Argentinian to remain at Ewood Park beyond January, with Ancelotti set to lose strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou to the African Cup of Nations for a lengthy period at the start of 2010.