Steve Kean is not losing any sleep over his turbulent reign at Blackburn despite mounting pressure on his position as manager.
Blackburn boss coping with pressure; Pedersen set for defence
Steve Kean is not losing any sleep over his turbulent reign at Blackburn despite mounting pressure on his position as manager.
Tuesday's basement battle with fellow Premier League strugglers Bolton is viewed as a do-or-die match, although the Scot has claimed he has not been issued an ultimatum.
Kean held talks with Blackburn's owners, Venky's, on Sunday and has insisted the main topic of discussion was directed at identifying January transfer targets.
This comes amid huge speculation he will be sacked before Christmas and even the local paper has now turned on the 44-year-old, who one year ago succeeded Sam Allardyce.
Blackburn suffered a last-gasp defeat to West Brom at the weekend, but Kean has maintained he is not going to crumble under pressure, as he said: "I would never back away.
"When we win, I come up and answer questions. If we lose or draw it is not something I would ever run away from.
Deterrent
"You have to face up to the responsibility. People deserve that respect. It doesn't keep me awake at night, but it is a difficult situation.
"I won't turn my back on it, though. I think we can get through it and when we do I will know how tough it has been and be determined not to go there again.
"In a strange way, we can use it as a deterrent not to go on a run like this and turn things around."
Blackburn will be without summer recruit Scott Dann against Bolton after the centre-back was ruled out for up to six weeks due to a groin injury
This has ensured Kean will again have to select a patched-up defence which is likely to include midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen at full-back.
"I know what my back four will be," said Kean. "But it will not be people who have too many games under their belts because we don't have them available."
