Roy Keane ready to hold talks over joining Blackburn Rovers

Roy Keane is willing to speak to Blackburn Rovers (Getty Images)

Roy Keane was in Turkey yesterday for talks about the managerial position at club side Kasimpasa but is ready to put such a move on hold to pursue his interest in the Blackburn Rovers vacancy.

Though the 41-year-old would need reassurances about the financial security at Ewood Park, he is ready to speak to the club's Indian owners before making any commitment himself to the Istanbul club, whose resources have enabled the newly promoted outfit to reach third place in the Turkish domestic league.

Rovers are ready to give the next two games to Eric Black, assistant to the outgoing Steve Kean, and at a time when they are keeping an open mind about successors to Kean, they would be interested in meeting the former Manchester United player. Kasimpasa offer a reported £1.4m salary as they seek a first Turkish title.

Black could stake a claim to the position, with wins in tonight's game at Nottingham Forest and Saturday's home match with Wolverhampton Wanderers, though he also finds Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in Aston Villa's sights this summer, another candidate in the mould of the young, ambitious manager Rovers favour. Alan Shearer has not removed himself from contention, while Tottenham Hotspur have as yet been unwilling to allow technical director Tim Sherwood – another former Ewood favourite – to walk away from the club. Keane has been out of work since he was sacked by Ipswich Town last year.

Other foreign options who may interest Blackburn's Indian owners include Paulo Sousa, the former Swansea City and Leicester City manager, who is building a reputation with Hungarian side Videoton on a low budget. Former QPR manager Sousa, whose English career ended abruptly after a 10-game spell at Leicester, has negotiated a route through the Europa League qualifying rounds to secure a place in the main draw.