Blues boss Paul Jewell has praised his Blackburn counterpart Steve Kean for the way he’s dealt with the “unwarranted abuse” he’s received during his time in charge at Ewood Park. Town open their Championship campaign with a game against the Lancastrians on Saturday afternoon (KO 3pm).
Jewell said: "Looking at it from afar, from a manager’s point of view, going back to last season, I think Steve Kean’s held himself with great dignity.
"It’s a tough role. Some of the abuse he’s had has been unwarranted. We all accept we get criticism, but sometimes it goes over the line.
"I think some of the stuff that Steve has had to put up with has been horrible really, but I think he’s dealt with it exceptionally well and he’ll probably tell you that he’s come through it stronger and he’s a better manager than he was this time last year.
"It’s a lonely old job this and some of the stuff he’s had to put up with, he’s dealt with it ever so well.”
Kean has been amongst the busier Championship managers in the transfer window, having brought in Danny Murphy (Fulham), Leon Best (Newcastle United), Nuno Gomes (Braga), Fabio Nunes (Portimonese), Paulo Jorge (Porto), Edinho Junior (Olhanense), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham) and loanee Colin Kazim-Richards (Galatasaray), and the Blues could benefit from one of his other ongooing targets.
Rovers want to add former Blue Jordan Rhodes to their squad, with an outside chance of a deal being done in time for Saturday, and Town are due 10% of the profit Huddersfield make on the fee they paid for the Scotland international, believed to be around £850,000 in total with all milestone clauses now met.