SAM Allardyce has conceded Franco Di Santo will probably be recalled by Chelsea in January – but insists everyone will benefit if he maintains Saturday’s heights over the next few months.

Blackburn Rovers’ Argentinean loanee played a key role in the weekend’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa, in just his second Rovers start, but a New Year return to Stamford Bridge is now looking inevitable.

With several of Chelsea’s stars set for African Nations Cup duty in January, their current transfer embargo means the 20-year-old striker is likely to be needed by the Premier League title challengers.

Allardyce though insists he always knew there was the risk of losing him in January, having initially secured him on a six-month deal, but believes if Di Santo continues the form he showed on Saturday it will be of benefit to all parties concerned.

He said: “Franco will have enjoyed Saturday, that is one of the big things.

“Knowing he has contributed a huge amount to winning a football match.

“Chelsea needed him to play in the Premier League.

“He could have gone elsewhere in Europe but it is in the Premier League where they need to find out if he is good enough for them and there is no doubt if we continue with him and develop him and he continues to play the way he did today it would be great for us up to January.

“Then perhaps Chelsea will benefit from there on if the ban stays and with African Nations players going away.”

“We knew we would probably lose him in January but that is the process. We lost Roque and we knew Chelsea were trying to get him Premier League experience.”

Di Santo’s presence forced Richard Dunne into the error to create Chris Samba’s equaliser on Saturday and it was his shot that was handled by Dunne in the dying minutes for David Dunn to score the winner from the spot.

The tall striker was also unlucky not to open his Rovers account himself, seeing a goal bound volley brilliantly blocked by Stephen Warnock, after Allardyce surprised many by giving Di Santo his first home start.

Jason Roberts was, as a result, dropped from the squad completely but Allardyce has assured his striker he won’t be left in the wilderness for long.

“It will be important for both of us if Franco can kick on from here,” said Allardyce. “Him and the rest of the players played their best on Saturday.

“We always liked him when he was playing for Chelsea reserves so we have got two experienced strikers in Jason (Roberts) and Benni (McCarthy) but we haven’t got young legs and this lad has young fresh legs, he enjoys his football and long may it continue.

“I took Jason out of the firing line. He will be very disappointed but he will be back, there is no doubt about that.

“It was a tough selection, it was difficult. We have a lot of players to choose from and that is the good part about strength in depth.”