BLACKBURN Rovers are confident of completing a loan move for Bordeaux striker Anthony Modeste by the end of the week – after deciding not to appeal against Yakubu’s red card against Fulham.

Rovers had representatives in France over the weekend and are eager to make Modeste their first signing of the January transfer window by tying up a deal for the 23-year-old ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton.

The 6ft 1in forward, who played for France’s under 21 side on 15 occasions, joined Bordeaux from Nice for around £3m in 2010 but has lost his place this season and has not started a league game since October.

Modeste was an unused substitute in Saturday’s home win over Valenciennes, when Rovers observers were watching on from the stand.

Steve Kean is eager to bolster his strike options after losing Yakubu to a three-match ban following his sending off for a high tackle on Danny Murphy in Saturday’s win over Fulham.

Kean was unhappy with the decision and had indicated that he would consider whether to contest the dismissal, but was wary of seeing the ban increased to four matches should an appeal be unsuccessful.

Rovers have now decided that the risk of losing an appeal was too great, meaning that Yakubu will immediately start a three-match suspension.

The forward will miss Saturday’s return to former club Everton, the home game against Newcastle and a trip to Arsenal.

The ban will keep him out for almost a month before he is available to return at home to QPR on February 11.