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Rovers can upset City's stars - Kean

Steve Kean is hoping for a positive result against Manchester City © PA Photos

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Blackburn boss Steve Kean insists his players can match those of big-spending Manchester City in the high-stakes encounter at Ewood Park.

City travel to Blackburn looking for victory as they seek to secure Champions League football for the first time while Rovers are desperate for points to avoid relegation.

Rovers have abandoned their renowned direct approach since Sam Allardyce was sacked and replaced by Kean in December but he admits it is now a case of win at all costs.

''It's lovely to win and play nice football but at this stage of the game it's about winning,'' said Kean. ''We have only lost once in almost four months at home, since I have become manager, so Ewood is going to be a tough place for any team to come.

''City will be looking for three points too and we have to be up and at them straight away, don't let them settle.''

Kean insists he does not envy the resources available to City's Roberto Mancini.

He said: ''We have a good group of players too and I've never moaned that we have no depth. Anytime we've asked the owners to dip into their pockets and get wages out for loan players or go to other parts of the world and invest in young players for the future they have done that.

''They [City] have had massive investment very quickly, the way we are going to invest is going to be slower over a longer period and I'm sure the owners will back the overall improvement and expansion of the club.''

Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has warned his players not to let him down when they face Rovers. There is a wave of euphoria in and around Eastlands with the FA Cup final against Stoke to look forward to next month and the chance to end a 35-year wait for a major trophy.

Mancini, however, wants a reality check following the Wembley win over Manchester United when they travel to Ewood Park. The Italian is keen to avoid a performance similar to the one they gave against Liverpool, which ended in a 3-0 defeat. City are on course for a top-four place and a spot in the Champions League while Blackburn are in freefall after failing to win any of their last 10 league games.

Mancini said: ''It has been a good week but now Manchester United are in the past. We should forget it. Now we need to focus only only on the next four games before the final. It is impossible to think of the final at this moment.

''We have games against Blackburn and West Ham, teams fighting against relegation. These matches are very dangerous. If we think we can go to Blackburn and play 50% it is better we stay at home and not spend the money to go there. If we have the same focus as against United, the same concentration we will win a lot of games.

''That is important because we have lost many points in the last month. We must remember what happened at Liverpool. We must give 100% because Blackburn are a strong team at home and it will be a very hard game.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.