• Rovers hoped to pick up striker on a free transfer
• Tony Pulis wants £1.75m for out-of-favour Beattie

Blackburn Rovers have failed in an attempt to re-sign James Beattie after being told that Stoke City are looking to recoup a significant sum for the former England striker despite the manager Tony Pulis’s desire to move on a player he clashed with last season.

Blackburn had hoped that, with Stoke keen to get Beattie, one of their highest earners, off the wage bill, there might be a chance to pick up a player who started his career at Ewood Park on a free or for a nominal fee. However, Stoke have signalled that they would be looking for about £1.75m for Beattie, who cost them double that amount when he joined from Sheffield United in January 2009. Stoke also informed Blackburn that they would not consider loaning Beattie to one of their Premier League rivals.

Beattie clashed with Pulis at the Emirates Stadium in December, when the Stoke manager is alleged to have headbutted the forward following a disagreement over the club’s Christmas night out. The 32-year-old served a grievance procedure against Pulis but an investigation failed to find in his favour.

He made only one more appearance for Stoke after that episode and was left off the club’s pre-season trip to Austria along with Dave Kitson, another striker who is available for transfer this summer.

Blackburn RoversStoke CityTransfer windowStuart Jamesguardian.co.uk

• Paul Hayes scores two before half-time for Preston
• Wolves hammer Walsall, Wigan held by Oldham

A lacklustre Blackburn Rovers were shown up by their Lancashire neighbours Preston North End in a 3-0 drubbing tonight.

Two first-half headers from summer signing Paul Hayes, the second of them from a cross delivered by the former Blackburn player Keith Treacy, put Preston in control before Michel Salgado fouled Sean St Ledger and Chris Brown scored Preston’s third from the penalty spot.

There was better fortune for Wolverhampton Wanderers as a successful short trip to Walsall ended in a resounding 4-0 win.

Ninteen-year-old striker Ashley Hemmings headed the opener from Greg Halford’s fine cross and Sam Vokes scored twice in five minutes shortly before half-time, first tapping in Scott Malone’s cross and then seizing on defensive confusion to make it 3-0.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake powered into the box to smash home an emphatic fourth and substitute Kevin Doyle was a handful for the League One club, three times going close.

Wigan Athletic were held to a 1-1 draw at Oldham and were forced to come from behind to secure that result, having fallen behind in the first half when Dale Stevens volleyed home superbly after running onto a poor clearance on the edge of Wigan’s 18-yard box.

The equaliser came when Jordi Gómez was clumsily hauled down in the penalty area by Paul Black and got up to convert the penalty.

Blackburn RoversPreston North EndDave Middletonguardian.co.uk

• Norway international ends speculation over summer move
• Winger says: ‘Blackburn always was my first choice’

Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen has ended speculation about his future by signing a new four-year deal with the club.

The Norway international was out of contract this summer and there was some doubt as to whether he would re-commit to Rovers.

But despite reportedly attracting interest from clubs around Europe, Pedersen has opted to stay at Ewood Park.

“Blackburn always was my first choice. We have a united team, great management and brilliant supporters,” he said.

“Also, there aren’t many footballers who get the opportunity to stay with one Premier League club for 10 years. I did and I want to honour that.”

Manager Sam Allardyce admitted at the end of the season he did not know whether Pedersen, originally signed by Graeme Souness in August 2004 from Tromso for £1.5million, would agree a new contract or not.

“Pedersen is one of our most dedicated and professional players,” he said. “We’re glad to finally have a contract in place and look forward to the new season.”

Chairman John Williams said: “What appeared to be a lengthy negotiation was always carried out in a positive constructive manner with Morten making it clear that he wanted to stay. Sam made this, together with finding a striker, our summer priority.”

Blackburn RoversPremier LeagueTransfer windowguardian.co.uk