ALL was calm at a gloriously sunny Brockhall yesterday as a refreshed Gary Bowyer and his players put their final preparations in place for tomorrow’s trip to Leeds United.

But across the Pennines at Elland Road their Roses rivals were plunged into fresh crisis with their assistant manager, and former Burnley midfielder, Steve Thompson, effectively sacked, and their manager, Neil Redfearn, left to contemplate his own future.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Blackburn Rovers boss Bowyer was unaware of the latest dramatic developments unfolding at Leeds when he was asked for his thoughts on the match and on his opposite number.

But after the microphones and dictaphones were put away, and after he had learned of Thompson’s shock dismissal, his reaction was one of resigned bemusement before he walked out of the room.

Not least because moments earlier he had been extolling the virtues of Redfearn who, very much like Bowyer has done at Rovers, was beginning to bring a sense of stability and optimism to a club that has lurched from one disaster to the next.

“I’m delighted for Neil because there are some good, young English and British coaches up and down the country and people sometimes don’t get given that opportunity,” said Bowyer, who was a reported managerial target for Leeds last summer.

“But I was fortunate enough and Neil was fortunate enough to get opportunities and they’ve got some good young players and he’s turned it around so we’re aware of how a difficult game it’s going to be.”

Whether Redfearn, who has led Leeds on a five-match unbeaten run, will still be in charge tomorrow remains to be seen.

Asked about his own position after Thompson’s suspension, Redfearn, whose contract is up in the summer, said: “I’ve got to have a real hard think. Where before it was a no-brainer (to stay) I’ve got to have a think.

“It is undermining. You’re trying to put something together in the belief that you’re getting the backing.

“Steve’s been suspended. For what, I don’t know. I don’t understand it. You’d have to find that out from the club. I don’t understand why.”

Rovers will travel to Leeds on the back of a five-match unbeaten away run in all competitions.

“Elland Road is a fantastic place to go,” said Bowyer, whose side welcome Liverpool to Ewood Park on Wednesday for an FA Cup quarter-final replay.

“I really enjoy going there, the supporters at Leeds are magnificent, they create a great atmosphere, as will our away following, and it will be great preparation for our game on Wednesday versus Liverpool.

“If you look at our away form, we’re unbeaten in five and put in some really impressive performances, and we’ll be looking to do that again on Saturday.”

While Leeds are in better league form – taking 11 points from their last five games compared to Rovers’ nine – they have lost the last three meetings between the sides.

“They’ve always been competitive, they’ve always been lively, and we’re anticipating exactly the same on Saturday,” said Bowyer, who has yet to lose to Leeds as a senior boss.

“And, as I say, it will be great preparation for the midweek game.”