• Premier League

Muamba progress a boost for everyone - Kean

Steve Kean is glad to see Fabrice Muamba appears to be recovering © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Muamba's family 'enormously grateful' to doctors
  
• News: We'll play for Muamba - Coyle
  

Blackburn manager Steve Kean is looking forward to a positive match against Bolton on Saturday, with players and staff on both sides delighted Fabrice Muamba appears to be on the mend.

Blackburn reached out to Bolton to see if they could help in any way following Muamba's collapse last weekend, giving Owen Coyle's side the option to cancel this weekend's Premier League encounter - a perhaps ill-timed six-pointer between two sides fighting against relegation.

But with Muamba now making "great progress" in hospital, Kean believes the game will be played in good spirits despite the potentially significant stakes.

"It's always easier (to concentrate on the game) when the boy's making progress," Kean said. "If it had gone a negative way and we didn't know whether the game was on and then all of a sudden it could have been on at the last minute, it might have been difficult.

"But the fact he's getting stronger, he's communicating, I believe he's even joking and he can recognise everybody, then I think everybody goes into it in a positive mindset. It's great that he's getting there and we need to get on with the game."

He added: "We contacted Bolton and I left a message for their chairman and spoke with Owen.

"Any way at all that we could help Fabrice or their other players, if they didn't think they had enough preparation because of the situation we were happy to postpone the game.

"The way it's gone now, he's made great progress, which we're all delighted about, and the game's on. Now we need to get on with business and try to put more points on the board on a very emotional day."

Bolton dropped back into the relegation zone after QPR came from behind to beat Liverpool 3-2 at Loftus Road on Wednesday, a result that also reduced the cushion between Rovers and the bottom three. Kean believes that result is an indication of the unpredictable nature of the league this season, although he believes his side will be fine if they continue their recent performances.

"There's lots of football to be played and there'll be twists and turns," he added. "I was at the game the other night and Liverpool probably thought they had the points then QPR came back and snatched it.

"We've just got to continue with the form we're in. Over the last five games we've managed to pick up 10 points, we've managed to score eight goals, put back-to-back clean sheets together, so we've just got to look after ourselves."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.