Yakubu scored in Rovers’ crucial win over Sunderland on this day in 2012, and celebrated by revealing a t-shirt showing his support for Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba.

Three days before Rovers secured a 2-0 win over the Black Cats, that moved them six points above the drop zone, Wanderers midfielder Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during their weekend match at Tottenham.

Wanderers called off their midweek fixture with Aston Villa, but confirmed that Rovers’ trip to the Reebok Stadium that weekend would go ahead, despite Rovers having offered to postpone the game if necessary.

The Sunderland win was the first time that manager Steve Kean managed back-to-back league wins in what was his 50th game in charge, with Junior Hoilett and Yakubu on target.

Hoilett’s volley broke the deadlock with an opportunistic volley just before the hour mark, before Yakubu sealed the win minutes from time.

After the game, Rovers skipper Paul Robinson insisted he had no plans of coming out of international retirement to continue focusing on life at Ewood Park.

Robinson’s impressive recent form had led to calls for his inclusion in England’s Euro 2012 squad, despite him retiring from the international scene in 2010.

He quit England having been ignored by former boss Fabio Capello but Robinson insisted a change in manager changes nothing.

He said: “It’s not about too many bad memories. I’m enjoying playing for Rovers and I’m concentrating on that.

“International retirement has helped me as a person and as a player. I’ve been out of that for a while now and it has helped me enjoy my football.

“I’m just concentrating on keeping Rovers in the Premier League. I love being part of the team and there is nothing to change at the moment.

“That is the main reason I retired from international football. I can recharge the batteries more.

“I'm 32 and feel I can benefit more from staying with my own team, working on my game and having a rest when needed rather than training every day and watching a game that I’m not involved in.”