BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer is remaining coy on the fitness of four key players ahead of Sunday’s East Lancashire derby at home to Burnley.

Captain Grant Hanley, Tom Cairney and David Dunn all missed last Saturday’s short trip to Bolton Wanderers while Matt Kilgallon came off in a 4-0 defeat which ended Rovers’ five-match unbeaten run.

When asked whether he is hopeful the quartet will be fit to face the Clarets, Bowyer said: “They’ve progressed nicely and we’ll give them every opportunity to make the game on Sunday.”

Hanley has a calf strain and Kilgallon has a groin strain, meaning Bowyer has doubts over both of his senior centre-backs.

He has therefore moved to ease his defensive concerns by signing Manchester United’s Michael Keane on loan until the end of the season.

Keane, 21, will go straight into the Rovers squad on Sunday – a squad which may also include winger Josh King after he returned to full training today.