Premier League preview: Blackburn v West Ham

Steve Kean will take charge of Blackburn for the first time on Saturday against West Ham, who will look to avoid a managerial crisis of their own.

Kean was an assistant coach under former manager Sam Allardyce, who was shockingly sacked on Monday by Blackburn’s Indian owners Venky Group.

The 43-year-old Scot has been chosen to fill the breach while the club seeks a permanent replacement.

In Allardyce’s last match in charge, Rovers lost 2-1 to Bolton at Reebok Stadium courtesy of a Stuart Holden winner with just two minutes to play.

The result leaves Blackburn in 13th place in the English Premier League.

For West Ham manager Avram Grant, the trip to Ewood Park could define not only the Hammers’ season but also his future at the club.

There have been suggestions he could be the next manager to face the axe – after Allardyce and Newcastle’s Chris Hughton – should he fail to win on Saturday.

With just one win from their past 11 league games, West Ham are anchored at the foot of the league table and were dismantled 3-1 at home by Manchester City last Sunday.

Both managers have their injury worries ahead of the clash, with Grant particularly hard hit.

Swiss winger Valon Behrami may be ready to resume after overcoming a hip knock but Grant will definitely be without midfielders Jack Collison and Thomas Hitzlsperger, while defender Manuel da Costa will also miss out.

Midfielder Mark Noble’s poor run of luck continues. After overcoming appendicitis, he is now sidelined with a leg injury sustained in the Hammers’ 3-0 loss to Liverpool on November 20.

Kean has much better news from the treatment table with only Irish midfielder Keith Andrews certain to miss out with a groin strain, though defensive midfielders Vince Grella and Steven N’Zonzi are both doubtful to overcome their respective groin and hamstring complaints before Saturday.