BOWYER NEWS ROVERS BOSS

Blackburn Rovers have announced Gary Bowyer as the club’s permanent manager following two successful stints as caretaker boss at Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers have appointed Gary Bowyer as the club’s new manager ahead of the 2013-14 season.

Bowyer was the caretaker boss at the Championship side on two separate occassions last season, initially following the departure of Henning Berg, who lasted just 57 days at Ewood Park.

The 41-year-old former reserve-team boss then took over the first-team duties following the sacking of Rovers’ third permanent manager last season, Michael Appleton.

Bowyer has taken the permanent role on a 12-month rolling contract.

“It is a huge honour and a proud moment for me. I have been at the club for nine years and I know the traditions,” Bowyer said.

“The foundation of the club was built on hard work and that is what we need to produce.

“The supporters want to see the players out there playing for the shirt and giving it their all.

“We need the players to show the same passion that the fans gave us during our last six games where we just lost the once.”

Bowyer, who played only 52 games over an eight-year career, was one of five men to manager the struggling Championship side last season who were predicted to bounce straight back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

TELESCOPE OUT OF THE DERBY

Telescope, who is owned by a syndicate that includes Sir Alex Ferguson, has been pulled out of next month’s Epsom Derby

Telescope, the horse partially owned by retiring Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has been withdrawn from next month’s Epsom Derby because of injury.

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute confirmed that the three-year-old has been suffering with a sore left shin.

“He’s not giving us the right signs and won’t be running,” he said.

Sir Alex’s colt originally missed the Dante Stakes at York earlier this month, which was his trial race for the Derby which will take place on 1 June, because of a leg infection.

The last time Telescope ran was in September last year, but he cruised to victory in the EBF Maiden Stakes at Newmarket.

The withdrawal of Telescope leaves 16-1 shot Libertarian, who trained in Yorkshire by Elaine Burke, the shortest price for a British winner at the race and BBC Sport’s racing correspondent, Cornelius Lysaght feels the withdrawal of Telescope is a damaging loss for the race.

“The defection of Telescope from the Derby is a real blow, leaving Libertarian as sole serious flag-flier for Britain in British Flat racing’s top event,” Lysaght said.

“But though that low turnout may be disappointing, the fact that this year we have a broad international feel, with stellar runners from France and Germany, is a big selling point.

“Chopin, who will be added to the list of runners on Monday, will be a first German runner in the race, and looks very solid.”

The BBC’s racing expert added: “As for Chopin’s trainer, Andreas Wohler, with catchy lines like “The Derby is the Derby of Derbies”, he can certainly come again.”

Meanwhile the trainer of the favourite Dawn Approach, Jim Bolger, is confident that his horse will live up to the high expectations after he won the 2000 Guineas.

Bolger said: “I’m very happy with him at the moment. I won’t be losing sleep over who turns up.”

Words: Adam Grice

Photo: Getty Images