Saunders hails Donny fans

Saunders hails Donny fans

Published Nov. 28, 2012 7:15 a.m. ET

Monaco have claimed there is nothing solid behind speculation the French club could swoop for Chelsea's veteran midfielder Frank Lampard next summer.

New Blues boss Rafa Benitez has said he expects Lampard and defender Ashley Cole to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of next season.

Current Ligue 2 leaders Monaco are thought to be keen on signing Lampard as they target a revival following relegation the season before last, while Chinese side Guizhou Renhe and MLS club LA Galaxy have also been linked.

Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri took the England international to Chelsea from West Ham in 2001 and is thought to be keen on a reunion with the 34-year-old.

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However, Monaco have played down reported interest, with a club official telling L'Equipe: "There is nothing concrete."

David Cotterill's quickly-taken free kick proved decisive, before both teams finished with 10 men as Rovers striker Iain Hume and Latics goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis were both sent off - Hume for a stoppage-time foul and Bouzanis for pushing him in the resulting fracas.

Both players will now miss out when the sides resume hostilities in Saturday's FA Cup second-round clash.

"I'm really pleased for all the supporters because they turned out in force on Saturday and gave us great backing and they've helped us win the game here," Saunders said.

"I think that's something like eight wins in the last 10 games and it's all credit to the players because they just keep churning out results.

"We had some injury problems and then lost a couple of players during the course of the game but they showed great character to overcome everything and take the points. We had to lift ourselves in the second half and raise our game because Oldham came and had a go and I thought they played well."

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