BOSS Sam Allardyce believes the growing influence that Michel Salgado is having on the Rovers squad can only be a good thing.

The former Real Madrid star was slow to get accustomed to life in the Premier League, but has shown in the last few months to be a valuable member of Allardyce's first team squad with some exceptional displays.

"Michel Salgado is an old player who people might have thought that he'd come to here to take it easy for a year," said Allardyce.

"But he's outstanding at the minute, he's leading by example, he's one of our oldest players but he's one of our fittest.

"He never stops running, he never stops trying, and getting forward, so he's a great example to the younger players.

"The youngsters have done really well, we've a good mixture of youth an experience at the moment."