The striker has missed Rovers' last three league games through suspension after he was shown a red card in the 3-1 win over Fulham, but is available for today's clash against fellow strugglers QPR.

During Yakubu's ban, Blackburn have only picked up a point in the 1-1 draw against Everton, while last Saturday they were subjected to a 7-1 thrashing at Arsenal.

However, Kean is confident the return of the Nigerian will make all the difference as he tries to wrestle three points from a team three places better off in the league.

"To get the Yak back, he's our leading scorer and we've missed him," Kean said.

"I think he's quoted as saying that three games felt like three months so it's brilliant for us to have him back. He's our leading scorer and if we give him the service he's going to be a real important player for us in the remaining games.

"The good thing is that during that period he's trained really, really well. He's put a lot of hard work in.

"It's not only his enthusiasm, he's a clever player. I think the centre-halves he plays against he gives them a hard time because he's always difficult to pick up.

"We've got a way of playing him now because we know what his favourite runs are and we know what service he likes. He's been getting really good service, hence the reason he's been scoring so many goals and the type of goals that he has.

"He's an infectious character round the place and he's always got a smile on his face and it's great that he's back and available for selection again."

Kean praised the efforts of Anthony Modeste and David Goodwillie, who stepped up alongside Junior Hoilett during the Yakubu's absence.

"I thought [Modeste] did well, especially against Newcastle," Kean said. "I thought he was unfortunate not to score.

"It was difficult for him against Arsenal with us losing Gael Givet [to a red card] and going down to 10 men, the service was very limited so that was a tough game for him but I feel as though he's done well.

"Also we've had Goodwillie who's been ill and missed the game against Newcastle at a time he's got three goals in four games, so having the Yak, also Anthony playing well, David Goodwillie scoring goals, there's different permutations and selections we can put up there."

Yakubu also praise Modeste for his performances but admitted he is raring to get back on the pitch for such a crucial game.

"You have to give credit to Anthony," he said. "I think he's done really well.

"Every game is a big game for us now. If you want to stay in the league you need to win your home games and hopefully go to away games and get a point.

"It's a long season but it's getting close and we have to put it right.

"It's a bad week for us, the loss against Arsenal, but we have to put it right.

"Everyone in the dressing room felt bad after the game and I was there too, but we have to forget about that game and keep thinking about QPR."

And Kean is confident his side are in good shape to face a QPR side who are just three points ahead of them.

"It's a big week, and it's a week off the back of the Arsenal result, but we've done a lot of positive work," Kean said.

"It's a game to be looking forward to and not to be dreading.

"It's on our home patch and the crowd over the last three or four home games has been fantastic, along with the travelling fans, so the atmosphere has been nice inside the ground and we're really looking forward to this game."