Blackburn V Wigan at Ewood Park : Match Preview

06 May 2012 14:01
Olsson in line for Rovers return.

Martin Olsson could return to the Blackburn starting XI for Monday's Barclays Premier League clash with Wigan at Ewood Park. Olsson has been on the bench for Rovers' last three games due to a niggling groin complaint but manager Steve Kean says the problem has settled down. Bradley Orr (Achilles) will be assessed ahead of kick-off and fellow defender Grant Hanley (knee) remains sidelined. Kean has confirmed striker David Goodwillie, who was given a community service order earlier this week for assaulting a man in Glasgow, will be part of the squad. Kean feels any nerves his players take into the game could give them an extra edge. In what has been a hugely disappointing season, it is now do-or-die time for Rovers, who are 19th with two games to play.

Asked about nerves in the camp, Kean said: "I feel as if it can give a positive edge. "Sometimes you can look at the lads and think they are a little bit nervous and there is a negative energy, but they have looked bright and sharp on the training ground." Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has a full squad to choose from. Striker Franco Di Santo is free of a calf knock and defender Ronnie Stam is (hamstring) also available. Wiagn are familiar with the situation Blackburn find themselves in. A year ago, they looked dead and buried heading into their final two games, only to produce wins over West Ham and Stoke that earned them a dramatic reprieve. A recent run of stellar results means they may be spared any final-day worries this time around, but knowing how Blackburn are fixed, Martinez is taking nothing for granted. "When you have the number of points Blackburn have got, you look at it as needing to win, but we need to win as well," he said. "When you go in to the last two games of the season, we know really well, that the last six points can really change your position in the table very quickly. "We know there are two finals and you need to approach them in that manner, because the points you earn can make up 10% of your overall total. That`s how important they are."

Blackburn V Wigan - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.

Source: PA