Steve Kean confident Yakubu boost can see Blackburn clear of the relegation zone

Blackburn boss Steve Kean has hailed the return of striker Yakubu from suspension as the boost his side need to steer themselves clear of the relegation zone.

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Rovers currently sit 19th in the Premier League, and have only picked up one point since the Nigerian was sent off in the 3-1 win over Fulham in January.

The former Portsmouth man is available, however, for Saturday’s clash with fellow strugglers QPR at Ewood Park, with Kean buoyed by Yakubu’s availability.

"To get the Yak back, he's our leading scorer and we've missed him," Kean told reporters.

"I think he's quoted as saying that three games felt like three months so it's brilliant for us to have him back. He's our leading scorer and if we give him the service he's going to be a real important player for us in the remaining games.

"The good thing is that during that period he's trained really, really well. He's put a lot of hard work in.

"It's not only his enthusiasm, he's a clever player. I think the centre-halves he plays against he gives them a hard time because he's always difficult to pick up.

"We've got a way of playing him now because we know what his favourite runs are and we know what service he likes. He's been getting really good service, hence the reason he's been scoring so many goals and the type of goals that he has.

"He's an infectious character round the place and he's always got a smile on his face and it's great that he's back and available for selection again."

The 44-year-old was also quick to praise striker’s Anthony Modeste and David Goodwillie, who have filled in during Yakubu’s absence, but insisted his main focus remained on overcoming the 7-1 rout Rovers suffered at the hands of Arsenal last weekend.

"I thought [Modeste] did well, especially against Newcastle," Kean said. "I thought he was unfortunate not to score.

"It was difficult for him against Arsenal with us losing Gael Givet [to a red card] and going down to 10 men, the service was very limited so that was a tough game for him but I feel as though he's done well.

"Also we've had Goodwillie who's been ill and missed the game against Newcastle at a time he's got three goals in four games, so having the Yak, also Anthony playing well, David Goodwillie scoring goals, there's different permutations and selections we can put up there.

"You have to give credit to Anthony," he continued. "I think he's done really well.

"Every game is a big game for us now. If you want to stay in the league you need to win your home games and hopefully go to away games and get a point.

"It's a long season but it's getting close and we have to put it right.

"It's a bad week for us, the loss against Arsenal, but we have to put it right.

"Everyone in the dressing room felt bad after the game and I was there too, but we have to forget about that game and keep thinking about QPR.

"It's a big week, and it's a week off the back of the Arsenal result, but we've done a lot of positive work.

"It's a game to be looking forward to and not to be dreading.

"It's on our home patch and the crowd over the last three or four home games has been fantastic, along with the travelling fans, so the atmosphere has been nice inside the ground and we're really looking forward to this game."