Despite being favourite in the bookmaker’s infamous Sack Race betting market, it actually appears as though the Blackburn Rovers owners might be about to offer a new contract to Steve Kean despite the fact that the Lancashire side sit bottom of the league.

The Scot has been the subject of supporter protests during two of the team’s recent home matches although he moved to defend comments made after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Spurs which suggested he didn’t care much for the opinions of the fans.

He said: “What I did say post match is for the protesters that I would try to put that to the back of my mind.

“But there are the fans being positive, like the ones who went to QPR, and I am disappointed because I do care what the supporters think”.

Blackburn’s precarious league position means that the Carling Cup becomes less relevant at the moment, although a win would ease the pressure on Kean’s shoulders and bet365 (£200 free bets) offer 7/4 that the Scot is smiling come the final whistle.

Newcastle have already beaten Rovers this season after a 3-1 win at St James’ Park, although Alan Pardew will surely change his team for this match ahead of Sunday’s tricky trip to Stoke where the Magpies will hope to continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Even so, the squad must be brimming with confidence at the moment and Betfred (£50 free betting) offer 7/4 that the visitors continue their excellent start to the campaign by winning at Ewood Park.

Hatem Ben Arfa is getting closer to booking a first team spot and can be backed at 10/1 (Ladbrokes) to score the first goal of this game, while Blackburn’s David Goodwillie has had a slow start to his Blackburn career and can be backed at 7/1.