Blackburn top-scorer Yakubu returns from suspension to face QPR but captain Christopher Samba lacking in match fitness

Nigerian available for selection, after seeing red against Fulham, ahead of six-pointer with the fellow relegation-threatened London side

9 Feb 2012 15:58:00

By Nathan Lowe

More On :  Blackburn Rovers, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Christopher Samba

Blackburn striker Yakubu is set to return to the starting line-up to face QPR this Saturday after serving a three-match ban.

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Rovers overcame the 29-year-old's sending off to win 3-1 at Ewood Park but have struggled since in the player's absence. Steve Kean's side drew with Everton before losing at home to Newcastle and being trounced 7-1 by Arsenal last weekend.

Getting his leading scorer back will be music to the entirely under-fire Kean’s ear, who revealed the player was frustrated watching from the stands.

"It is great to have the Yak back," the Rovers manager told the club's official website. "It has been tough for him watching on from the side-lines.

"He's now back and it is great to have our top scorer available once again."

Kean also seemed to have good news regarding another of his side's most important players, centre-back Chris Samba.

The 27-year-old reportedly issued a transfer request in January, resulting in a rift between club and player that has seen the defender ostracised from the squad ever since.

Boss Kean revealed that the influential Congo international is on the cusp of returning for the side once he regains match fitness, a prospect that continues to draw closer.

"We had Chris Samba train very well with us on Monday," Kean revealed. "He was pencilled in to play in a practice match against Carlisle but unfortunately on Monday evening he reported that his back was tight and it was giving his hamstring problems.

"So he didn't play in that game and that is disappointing as we wanted him to get an hour of football and push him on, but because of that little injury he hasn't trained and is only getting treatment.

"Chris has an osteopath's appointment this Thursday evening and if we can work on that then there's a reserve match on Monday he could feature in. If we can get him in over the weekend and get him in that game then great, if not then we'll just have to look to the next game.

Second-to-bottom Blackburn host 16th-placed QPR Saturday afternoon at Ewood Park.

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