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KUQI BLAMES PALMER FOR TRANSFER BREAKDOWN

STOCKPORT COUNTY'S Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi has blasted manager Carlton Palmer following the breakdown of his move to Blackburn Rovers.

Kuqi, who recently claimed he was going to stay with County, stated that Palmer had threatened to sack him for feigning injury and his future at the club is now in doubt.

"I had been playing with an injury and needed rest.  I was meant to be out for two months with an ankle problem and came back in two weeks to help the club because we had started so badly," said Kuqi.

He added: "But Palmer said I was faking it and threatened to fine me unless I played - without even talking to medical staff who had proof of how bad the injury was."

This fallout prompted Rovers to make a £500,000 bid for the gangling striker and Kuqi added: "When I joined the club they promised me that, if a Premiership side came in for me and they could make a profit, I could go.

"I want to play Premiership football so that I can get a starting position in the national team, but Stockport turned down the deal."

Kuqi was allowed to go to Ewood Park on trial and the two clubs agreed a £1.2 million fee, only for Palmer to put pressure on Blackburn boss Graeme Souness, which eventually pulled the plug on the deal.

"Souness was told to make his mind up a day early as Palmer wanted me to play on Saturday.  He got fed up and pulled out.  I came back and Palmer said he would have sacked me if I said I was still injured.

"I'm playing for myself and the fans not for Palmer after what he has done."