STEVE Kean insists Blackburn Rovers’ new boy Anthony Modeste is ready to be a Premier League menace after backing him to help fire the club towards safety.

The Bordeaux loanee, right, proved a handful on his full debut for the club in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United and, despite misfiring in front of goal, Kean is confident the 23-year-old will come good.

Modeste is expected to lead the line again for today’s trip to the Emirates Stadium as Rovers look to continue their good recent away form to ease their relegation peril, kick-off 1pm.

Top scorer Yakubu will serve the last match of his three match suspension, while David Goodwillie faces a race against time, leaving Modeste very much Rovers main man once more.

The former French under 21 international spurned several golden opportunities to mark his debut with a goal on Wednesday but Kean has seen enough to suggest that was just ‘opening night nerves’.

Kean said: “What we were impressed with was some of the chances he got he made himself by good body movement. He was quite easy to find. I spoke with Junior and Morten and they were impressed with his movement to open up a pathway.

“He is probably disappointed he didn’t get a goal because he snatched at a few but the performance suggests he is going to be a different type. He runs off the shoulder and in behind defenders and we have needed that.

“It was his first game and we are confident the goals will come. We have seen him in training so it is easier for us to comment. There have been sessions when we do play him in he is very assured in the 18 yard box.

“He showed enough technique to suggest he can put those runs and finishing ability together for us in the Premier League.”

Fellow new boys Bradley Orr and Marcus Olsson will also be involved this afternoon as Rovers look to stretch their unbeaten Premier League away record to four matches.

Rovers sit two points adrift of safety, with north west rivals Bolton immediately above them, as Rovers look to deepen Arsenal’s own current woes.

Kean said: “Over the years you can never question the amount of players Arsene Wenger has developed and improved. He has his philosophy, the way he wants to play.

“I think the job he has done has been fantastic. It is not about Arsenal though, we are concentrating on our own jobs and going to the Emirates and coming away with something.

“After the draw we got there last season and the last three away games we have played we believe we can go there and get a result and we will be working hard to do so.”