Kean: Focus of fans' protests

Share this article:

Blackburn Rovers v Fulham

Blackburn will be desperate to peel themselves off the bottom of the Premier League table when they host Fulham at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Rovers find themselves rock bottom after 20 matches, and demonstrations by a fans’ group against the club’s owners Venky’s and manager Steve Kean are set to overshadow another home game for the Lancashire outfit.

Fulham, meanwhile, have found themselves slowly clawing their way up the table under new manager Martin Jol, with their most recent outing a shock 2-1 victory over Arsenal at Craven Cottage.

On the team front, Rovers are left with a defensive selection headache after Christopher Samba confirmed his desire to leave the club in the January transfer period. Under-fire Kean insists the highly rated centre-back is not for sale, although an ankle injury is likely to keep the 27-year-old out of action this weekend.

Kean is, however, boosted by the news Junior Hoilett could return to action after missing the last three league and cup games with a hamstring injury, while David Dunn and goalkeeper Paul Robinson will both be handed late fitness tests.

The Cottagers, meanwhile, are set to welcome Andrew Johnson and Simon Davies back to the side after recovering groin and back injuries respectively.

Jol will make a late decision on midfielder Dickson Etuhu, but keeper Mark Schwarzer is still out with a spinal injury.