NEIL Lennon believes Blackburn Rovers might have their work cut out to keep hold of goal machine Jordan Rhodes in the January window.

Had the Northern Irishman had his way, the former Huddersfield Town striker would have been wearing the green-and-white hoops of Celtic rather than lining up against Wanderers in this afternoon’s derby.

After being priced out of the deal in the summer of 2012, Lennon watched Rhodes take the Championship by storm.

But as financial problems continue to bite for Rovers – the Wanderers boss wonders whether his local rivals can continue to rejects £10m offers like the one made by Premier League Hull City a few months ago.

“Hull wanted him but they were priced out of it,” he told The Bolton News. “It's not as though there hasn't been Premier League interest.

“At Celtic, we had talks with his representatives and his father, Andy, but when the price tag got bandied about, we had to back out. £8m is a lot of money

“Blackburn might feel if they can hang on to him they can make a shout for promotion. But FFP might put a dent in their ambitions, particularly for January.”

Rhodes has proved a fine signing for Rovers, scoring 62 goals in 118 appearances, but with the club announcing £40m losses in the last financial year their stubborn resolve to keep hold of his services could be tested in the next few weeks.

And Lennon has no doubt that the 24-year-old could make the step up to Premier League level and score goals there too.

“He has been prolific,” he said of the Scotland international. “I know he had a wee blip here and there but all players do.

“You always fancy him to score when he gets in certain situations. He is someone we must keep an eye on.

“He has proved he can score at any level. Steve Bruce obviously feels he can score in the Premier League.

“There may be question marks over that but you will never get the chance to show it unless someone gives him the opportunity. I think he is a natural finisher and if he gets the right service he will score at any level.

“At Celtic we had [Gary] Hooper from Scunthorpe. We liked his record, we liked his style of play. He was 27 goals a season for us.

“These type of players are a rare commodity and I can understand why Steve wanted that type of player in.”

It isn’t too long ago since tabloid stories were linking Wanderers with a move for Rhodes – a notion that seems all the more incredulous considering the struggle the club has had curbing costs in the last 12 months.

But the former Ipswich Town front man has made a habit out of scoring against Wanderers, scoring three times in four appearances.

He has only finished up on the winning side once in those four games and Lennon is anxious to make sure he has a frustrating afternoon.

“He is one of those players who can be quiet for long periods and then pop up,” he said. “He is one of those who can score two in three minutes. He is always on the shoulder of people; a good finisher.

“We’ll have to be extra careful but my defence has been magnificent since I came in, and so has my goalkeeper.”

Wanderers have kept four straight clean sheets going into the Lancashire derby and Lennon has been delighted with the way his back four and goalkeeper have played since he came to the club.

“When you look across the back four, the three senior ones have been superb,” he said.

“Vela is getting better. I know it’s not his position but he’s really growing into it. I thought his best game for us was down at Millwall and that’s obviously not an easy place to go.

“He seems to be getting stronger as games go on. We know that central midfield is his best position but he’s knuckled down and made that his own at the minute, which is brilliant.

“The two centre halves, Mills and Dervite, have been really consistent and Tim Ream has been flawless.

“As a unit they are playing very, very well.”