Steve Kean is adamant that winger Junior Hoilett is still happy at Blackburn despite him refusing to sign a new contract extension.
The Rovers chief is well aware that the Canadian hitman's current deal will expire in the summer and talks about him staying beyond this term have now ended for the time being.
However, with the Premier League strugglers now looking set to keep Hoilett until the summer, Kean is pleased that the player is now free to help keep Rovers in the top flight as the transfer window is due to close on Tuesday evening.
The Scot feels Hoilett has been distracted by speculation linking him with an £8million switch in this January window so will be relieved when he can start to focus on his football from the Newcastle game on Wednesday and beyond.
Kean told the Lancashire Telegraph: "It can be hard to put it out of your mind. Now he's in a position where he doesn't have that any more, he is totally free of the hamstring injury and he's happy which is the most important thing.
"He's also playing well and training well. I hope these performances can continue because he was a real thorn in the flesh for Everton every time he got the ball.
"He is unplayable at times."