Ewood Park: Home of Blackburn Rovers(credit:
Wikipedia)
Blackburn host Stoke City today without the services of midfield starlet Phil Jones. (kick-off 15.00 GMT)
Jones suffered knee ligament damage during the draw with West Ham and is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but Rovers are boosted by the return of Martin Olsson from injury.
Captain Christopher Samba, who has publicly stated his desire to leave Ewood Park, is doubtful due to an ankle problem, but a hamstring injury certainly rules out Jason Roberts.
Jon Walters has recovered from flu and Thomas Sorensen has overcome an elbow injury, meaning Stoke manager Tony Pulis has virtually a fully fit squad to choose from.
The Potters’ only absentee is forward Mamady Sidibe, who is still some way from returning from an Achilles injury.
Last Premier League preview:
BLACKBURN 1 West Ham 1: Robinson, Salgado, Samba (Jones 57, Hanley 67), Nelsen, Givet, Emerton, Mame Diouf, Dunn, Pedersen, El-Hadji Diouf, Roberts (Benjani 10). Not used: Bunn, Kalinic, Hoilett, Olsson.
Stoke City 0 BLACKPOOL 1: Begovic; Wilkinson (Whelan 83), Shawcross, Huth, Collins, Pennant (Tuncay 70), Whitehead, Delap, Etherington, Jones (Walters 70), Fuller. Not used: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Gudjohnsen, Wilson.