Premier League preview: Blackburn v Stoke City

Caretaker Steve Kean may struggle to supply the entertaining football demanded by Blackburn’s owners when Stoke City arrive at Ewood Park.

Kean took over earlier this month after Sam Allardyce was surprisingly sacked by the English Premier League club’s new owners, Indian poultry giant Venky’s Group.

The 43-year-old former Fulham and Coventry coach has been charged with moving away from the direct, physical style that epitomised Blackburn during Allardyce’s reign.

But Kean would be unwise to try and revolutionize the team’s tactics overnight, with Stoke unlikely to temper their typically aggressive approach on Sunday.

The Scotsman’s first match in charge ended in a scrappy 1-1 draw at home to bottom club West Ham.

The point came at a cost, with promising defender Phil Jones suffering a serious knee injury to join long-term absentees Keith Andrews, Steven N’Zonzi and Vince Grella on the treatment table.

Stoke come into the match in 13th place and one point behind Blackburn but with a game in hand over their opponents.

They lost 1-0 at home to promoted Blackpool in their last league game, but have enjoyed a week off after Saturday’s away match against Arsenal was called off due to bad weather.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has no new injury problems to worry about, with only Mamady Sidibe – ruled out for the season by an Achilles injury – and Salif Diao on the sidelines.

The visitors will look to Matthew Etherington to provide support for Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones in attack, while creative midfielders David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen have the ability to tip the scales in Blackburn’s favour.