Blackburn Rovers’ weekend home victory over West Bromwich Albion saw them leap to seventh in the EPL, just two places away from the medium-term target so publicly set by new owners’ the Rao family.

And Rovers’ serious efforts in this month’s transfer window have seen newly-contracted manager Steve Kean clocking up the air miles with trips to the family’s base in the Indian city of Pune.

However, Kean was quick to cool talk of “marquee” signings after Rovers’ high-profile failures to sign big names Ronaldinho and David Beckham.

Kean returned from transfer discussions with the Raos last week and said: “I don’t think a marquee signing will happen.

“I spoke to the owners and said I think it is better that we don’t have that speculation. If its going to be a big-name signing, that’s probably best done when the market is stable in the summer.”

Kean’s words did not stop speculation that 31-year-old former Argentine international Juan Riquelme was a target, with reports of Riquelme’s agent meeting UK agent Jerome Anderson.

Kean dismissed the talk, but confirmed that Rovers could still sign Riquelme’s 22-year-old compatriot Mauro Formica, despite the attacking midfielder seemingly joining Monaco this week.

He also confirmed that Rovers had a bid for Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson rejected.

Rovers defenders Michel Salgado and Ryan Nelsen have both signed contract extensions which will keep them at Ewood Park until 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Rovers visit new, improved Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round this Saturday lunchtime.