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Givet set for Rovers return

Image: Gael Givet: Rovers defender has undergone a successful operation

Steve Kean has confirmed Gael Givet could be back in contention just a week after undergoing a heart operation.

French defender could be back training in a week after heart op

Blackburn boss Steve Kean has confirmed that Gael Givet could be back in contention just a week after undergoing a heart operation. The French defender needed treatment after suffering palpitations during the 2-1 defeat at Sunderland earlier this month. Struggling Rovers have been hit hard by injuries, with fellow defenders Scott Dann, Martin Olsson and Ryan Nelsen also out, while goalkeeper Paul Robinson (calf) is battling to be fit for the Boxing Day trip to Liverpool. Givet has been absent for the damaging home defeats by West Brom and Bolton, with Tuesday night's derby defeat by Wanderers leaving Blackburn rock-bottom. And although Kean again came under fire from disgruntled home fans, he has pleaded with supporters to recognise the team's injury problems.

Uptight

"I can understand if they're getting uptight about the position we're in," he said. "We're all uptight about it but we feel, with the right ability to select the squad, (that can improve). "If five defenders are injured, there's nothing we can do about that. We're praying and hoping they get back as quickly as possible. "Gael Givet's had a very successful heart operation and we expect him to be back in full training within a week. "I would hope the fans can see that and understand that if any of those players were fit, they would play. "We're playing players out of position and giving ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb. In the second half against Bolton I felt the players responded very well."

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