Source: SKY_Sports
Kalinic has Allardyce backing
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is tipping Nikola Kalinic to be a success in the Premier League.
The Croatian striker was handed his top-flight bow on Saturday after stepping off the bench against Sunderland.
The 21-year-old looked bright during his cameo appearance, despite squandering three good opportunities to open his account in English football.
He will be awarded another opportunity to impress in the Carling Cup against Gillingham on Tuesday, while injuries to Franco Di Santo and Benni McCarthy should see him feature in Blackburn's home date with West Ham on Saturday.
"They (commentators) were talking about the disappointment of (Manchester United striker) Michael Owen missing chances against Birmingham and Burnley and raving about the fantastic chance he took against Wigan," said Allardyce.
"We have had our striker come on a lot earlier than we wanted to (against Sunderland) but were playing that well at the time we thought he could go on and get a taste of it and hopefully get an opportunity to score - of which he did about three.
"It is a good positive thing that, in his first game before we wanted to play him, he got three opportunities to score a goal in the Premier League.
"Sadly for him and us he mis-timed his strike on all three occasions but he got in there and if he continues to get in there, from what I have seen, there is no doubt that those chances will turn into goals.
"I hope it doesn't worry him too much. He's in the squad because of Benni and Franco's injuries so we'll be looking to give him some minutes there."
Another Rovers player hoping to be involved in midweek is former Gills goalkeeper Jason Brown, who is expected to take the No. 1 jersey from Paul Robinson for the cup contest.
"It is a great occasion for them and obviously it is a great occasion for me," said Brown, who was at Gillingham from 2001 to 2006.
"I spent quite some time there and I've got some good memories so it should be good.
"If the opportunity comes against Gillingham then I'll certainly be looking to try to make the most of that.
"If not then I'll just wait and when the opportunity does come again this season then I'll try to do the best I can."
