Blackburn V Barnsley at Ewood Park : Match Preview

17 September 2012 18:01
Blackburn V Barnsley - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.

Backline problems for Rovers Blackburn defenders Gael Givet and Markus Olsson will be sidelined when the npower Championship leaders host Barnsley. Both men hobbled out of Saturday's dramatic 5-3 victory at Bristol City and will not recover in time. Givet suffered a burst blood vessel at the top of his leg, while Olsson sustained a grade one hamstring tear. Grant Hanley and Martin Olsson replaced their injured team-mates at Ashton Gate and are expected to start against the Tykes, while versatile youngster Jason Lowe could also come into the back four having recovered from an abductor strain sustained on England Under-21 duty. Colin Kazim-Richards is a number of weeks away from a comeback after being hit by a setback in his recovery from a knee injury, leaving in-form duo Jordan Rhodes and Nuno Gomes to continue in attack. Rhodes bagged a brace against Bristol City, his first goals since moving to Ewood Park from Huddersfield for #8million, while Portuguese veteran Nuno Gomes has scored in his last three matches. Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele could make his first appearance of the season. Steele has been dogged by a stomach/groin problem since March when he played his last game for the Tykes in a 4-0 home defeat to Reading. But the 27-year-old took part in a development game against Wigan on Monday and is hoping to be included in the first-team squad. Winger Matty Done (knee) is pushing for a start after making his first appearance since mid-August when stepping off the substitutes' bench in the weekend draw with Blackpool. Midfielder David Perkins, who has missed the last four matches due to a hamstring injury, is also hoping to feature after returning to the bench as an unused substitute on Saturday. Defender Bobby Hassell sits out the second game of his three-match ban, defender Jim McNulty and summer signing Toni Silva (both hamstring), midfielder Jim O'Brien (dislocated shoulder) and striker Mido (ruptured hamstring) are still unavailable as Barnsley look to end a run of three straight away defeats.

Source: PA