STEVE Kean admits Blackburn Rovers will be on the look-out for some older heads this summer – but insists planning for next season will have to wait as he targets Premier League survival.
The Rovers boss declined to comment on reports he was in Marseille on Wednesday night to have a look at French international striker Andre-Pierre Gignac but was adamant there would be no serious transfer thoughts until safety was secured.
Rovers entertain Premier League leaders Manchester United on Monday, currently sitting just three points above the drop zone, with Kean admitting the sooner survival is guaranteed the sooner he can plan for the future.
Kean said: “I haven’t even looked with any great detail at player recruitment. If there is an opportunity to watch a game and there might be a decent player playing then I will take it in.
“But much more important is watching opposition and that is what we will be doing this weekend. It is about Premier League safety and then we can think about next season.
“The most important thing is we get to the points tally we need as soon as possible.”
Marseille striker Gignac, 26, is understood to be high up on Kean’s wish list, having dropped out of favour at the French outfit.
He featured for France in the 2010 World Cup and previously enjoyed a three-year spell at Toulouse.
Kean’s attempts to add experience to his youthful squad in January were frustrated and, despite the club’s under 18s progressing to the FA Youth Cup final, he admits adding experience will be a priority.
“I am an admirer of any good player and Gignac is a very good player,” said Kean. “It was frustrating in January because we wanted an experienced striker but did not manage to get one.
“We managed to get a younger one in Anthony Modeste.
“There are a number of players that are on the radar.
“We need to make sure we get the balance between young players and experience right. We have lost so much experience, we have lost over 1,500 Premier League games over the last few months. We know we need to add experience and I am sure we will at the appropriate time.”
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