Yakubu can emulate Shearer's 20 goal haul, says Kean

Blackburn boss Steve Kean has backed on-fire striker Yakubu to become his club's first player to top 20 Premier League goals in a season since Alan Shearer in 1996.

Yakubu has already hit the back of the net nine times in eight starts in the league so far this campaign - including all four last weekend in the 4-2 victory over Swansea - and Rovers boss Kean says there is no reason why the Nigerian should not breach 20.

Roque Santa Cruz has come closest for Rovers, with 19 in the 2007-08 season, and Kean says the key will be to keep the service to Yakubu going and make sure the 29-year-old remains fit.

Kean said: "Any top striker thrives on good service. He has an eye for goal and he's in a position now when he gets any chance he expects to score. Last week he had five chances and scored four and was a couple of inches away from the fifth which would have been fantastic.

"If we can keep him fit there is no reason why he can't get those 20 goals in the season.

"It's not a case of him thinking 'I could be in here' - he just expects to see the net bulge every time he has a shot.

"I don't think it is a surprise how well he has done. Look back on his stats and as long as you keep him fit and on the pitch his returns are there to see.

"He has been breath of a fresh air for us.

"He does his work where you want him to, in the box. I don't want him to chase into corners from the half-way line I would prefer him to conserve his energy."

Yakubu is already being viewed as the bargain buy of last summer after he moved from Everton for a fee just over £1million on the last day of the transfer window.

Kean resisted labelling his striker as such - pointing out that the signing of 24-year-old centre-back Scott Dann could prove to be equally important.

He added: "The last day of the transfer window when he got Yakubu and Scott Dann we felt was very good business and they have both hit the ground running."

Yakubu and Dann are both expected to start for Blackburn when they visit Sunderland tomorrow for the first match for the Black Cats since Martin O'Neill was appointed manager.

Rovers have chalked up some decent draws in away matches this season but have yet to win on the road.

Martin Olsson will have a fitness test to see if he can make the Blackburn squad for Sunday's match after a couple of weeks out with a hamstring. Ruben Rochina is also doubtful having suffered a muscle injury and then been recovering this week after having his wisdom teeth removed. Steven Nzonzi serves the final game of his three-match suspension.