BLACKBURN new boy Scott Dann is delighted to have moved after a summer of transfer speculation.
And the £6million defender is keen to make up for lost time having been out injured while former club Birmingham lost their battle with relegation last season.
The 24-year-old joins a Rovers side without a Premier League point after three matches but insists he is not worried by critics who are already writing off their chances.
Dann enjoyed an impressive first campaign in the top flight in 2009/10 and was continuing that form last term until a hamstring injury in January ended his involvement.
He had to watch from the sidelines as Brum recorded a famous Carling Cup victory over Arsenal at Wembley and was powerless to prevent their slide into the Championship.
He said: “While I’ve been at Birmingham there has been a lot of speculation that I would be leaving and to get it finally wrapped up is a relief.
Scott dann
“I heard of Blackburn’s interest a couple of days ago and it has all happened quickly. I was delighted to get it all sorted last night.
“From a personal point of view I would have liked it to have been done sooner so I could have got straight in with my new team-mates but it hasn’t worked out that way.
“I was looking forward to coming into training today. I got injured in January, missed the Carling Cup final and couldn’t play for the rest of the season.
“I’ve been fit all through the summer and I’ve had a full pre-season but missing so many games is frustrating.
“I need to play and I’m not happy unless there are games so I am delighted I am now playing for Blackburn.
“It wasn’t an option for me to stay in the Championship, I needed a new challenge.”
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Sky Sports understands Aston Villa and Arsenal are mulling over moves for Blackburn defender Scott Dann.
He was a target for both clubs in the summer prior to making the switch to Ewood Park from relegated Birmingham.
Alex McLeish worked with the centre-back at St Andrew’s and is still admirer so it is understood that he is now considering a January swoop.
Villa’s defence is in need of strengthening with doubts over the futures of James Collins and Richard Dunne, and it is believed they would be willing to offer Collins plus cash to Blackburn for Dann.
Arsenal are also thought to be monitoring developments due to the injury crisis at Emirates Stadium and Arsene Wenger may decide to recruit reinforcements.
The Frenchman had doubts about Dann at the start of the season after a long lay-off but he has played regularly this season for Rovers.
It is understood that Blackburn would consider selling for the right offer but they do not want to lose Dann and Chris Samba, who has expressed a desire to leave.
If Rovers decide to sell Dann, they will be especially determined to keep Samba, and Steve Kean announced earlier on Thursday that two bids from an unnamed club had been rejected for the Congolese player.
Blackburn boss Steve Kean is reeling from another body blow after confirming defender Scott Dann will be out for six weeks with a groin injury.
Dann suffered the problem during Saturday’s defeat to West Brom and it was immediately confirmed he would miss tomorrow’s do-or-die clash with Premier League basement boys Bolton at Ewood Park.
“We have suffered another blow because Scott Dann is out for six weeks,” said Kean. “He will have groin surgery.
“When you add that to Gael Givet, Ryan Nelsen and Michel Salgado, we are losing defenders at the moment, which is tough.
“But we have to face it up and crack on, although that is a tough one to take.”
It merely heaps even more pressure on Kean, who was the subject of abuse from a large section of the Blackburn support on Saturday, who abandoned their non-demonstration pact following Peter Odemwingie’s last-minute winner.
That has been followed up by a front-page editorial in the local newspaper this morning calling for Kean’s immediate dismissal.
Yet the Rovers boss claimed he spoke to the owners over the telephone yesterday and there had been no mention of an ultimatum.
Rather, the discussion revolved around future plans.
“I have spoken with the owners for 45 minutes yesterday. There was no suggestion of an ultimatum,” he said.
“We had a real good conversation yesterday.
“We are looking forward to the transfer window opening so we can try and get a couple in who can hit the ground running and make an impact.
“There is pressure tomorrow but we have to enjoy it. From the first minute there will be pressure.
“You have to show courage to accept it.”
The one piece of good news for Kean is the return of Junior Hoilett after a hamstring injury.
And Kean confirmed Gael Givet might be back in a fortnight after it has been decided he would have a procedure to rectify his irregular heartbeat.
“Gael is going to have a procedure,” said Kean.
“He was in training yesterday and seemed quite well in himself.
“But it is something you have to take very seriously when his heartbeat goes up to 300 beats a minute.
“He had it once before in France. He also had it 18 months ago in training.
“But it has moved to a different chamber in the heart.
“It is a small procedure. He should be back within two or three weeks.”