Rovers out to prove point
Blackburn will have to try to recover from their midweek mauling when they face Newcastle in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow without their trusty captain Ryan Nelsen.
The New Zealander is suspended against the Magpies after being sent off somewhat harshly against Aston Villa – a decision that sparked the 4-0 rout by the visitors.
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes questioned the referee’s judgment after the match but is backing his players to bounce back against Newcastle.
Hughes said: “Everybody has got to move on, and I feel there is a real determination among the players to get this result out of their system.
“Even in patches of the game you could see that we are a good side – and we have got the opportunity to put things right at the weekend.”
Andre Ooijer is likely to partner Chris Samba in central defence in Nelsen’s absence.
Steven Reid is also pushing for a start, after coming on for a spell against Villa.
Hughes may also rejig his strikers to give England Under-21s international Matt Derbyshire a start and rest either Benni McCarthy or Roque Santa Cruz.
“The squad is very strong at the moment, and I have got a lot of striking options,” he said.
