Blackburn's Scott Dann out for six weeks

Blackburn Rovers defender Scott Dann is to miss the next six weeks of the season with a groin injury, the Premier League strugglers' manager Steve Kean said on Monday.

Dann suffered his injury during a 2-1 defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, a result that left Rovers second-bottom in the table.

Blackburn next play basement club and local rivals Bolton Wanderers at Ewood Park on Tuesday in a Lancashire derby of huge importance to both clubs' hopes of staying in the top flight.

"We have suffered another blow because Scott Dann is out for six weeks," said Kean. "He will have groin surgery.

"When you add that to Gael Givet, Ryan Nelsen and Michel Salgado, we are losing defenders at the moment, which is tough.

"But we have to face it up and crack on, although that is a tough one to take."

The Scottish boss was once again subjected to chants from his own supporters calling for his sacking on Saturday.

A number of Rovers fans abandoned a 'pact' to spare the unpopular Kean from verbal abuse after Peter Odemwingie scored a last-minute winner for West Brom at Ewood Park.

And the local paper in Blackburn followed this up with a front-page editorial on Monday calling for Kean's dismissal.

But Kean insisted a telephone conversation he had had with Rovers' Indian owners Venky's on Sunday had indicated he would still be the manager come the January transfer window.

"I have spoken with the owners for 45 minutes yesterday. There was no suggestion of an ultimatum," Kean said.

"We had a real good conversation yesterday. We are looking forward to the transfer window opening so we can try and get a couple (of players) in who can hit the ground running and make an impact.

"There is pressure tomorrow (Tuesday) but we have to enjoy it. From the first minute there will be pressure. You have to show courage to accept it."

Better news for Kean came with the return of forward Junior Hoilett following a hamstring injury.

And Kean said Givet might be back in a fortnight following a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.

"Gael is going to have a procedure," said Kean. "He was in training yesterday and seemed quite well in himself.

"But it is something you have to take very seriously when his heartbeat goes up to 300 beats a minute.

"He had it once before in France. He also had it 18 months ago in training. But it has moved to a different chamber in the heart.

"It is a small procedure. He should be back within two or three weeks."