Live Commentary

Rovers to assess Rochina Blackburn will assess Ruben Rochina ahead of the New Year's Day clash with Nottingham Forest. Rochina was restored to the starting line-up against Barnsley on Saturday and responded with a fine individual goal as Rovers claimed a first win in seven npower Championship outings. But the former Barcelona B playmaker limped out of the action midway through the second half and watched the rest of the match from the bench clutching an ice pack to his leg. Colin Kazim-Richards is pushing for a start after replacing the injured Simon Vukcevic at half-time during the 3-1 triumph at Oakwell. Vukcevic was helped off by the Rovers medical team having been caught by a late challenge on the stroke of the interval, although the exact nature of his injury is unclear. Reserve team boss Gary Bowyer is set to take charge of first-team affairs once more having led the team at the weekend in the wake of Henning Berg's sacking. Veteran Portugal striker Nuno Gomes returned from a month out with a hamstring injury by making a late substitute appearance against Barnsley, but the Blackburn squad was missing a host of senior players. Fabio Nunes (hamstring), Mauro Formica (foot) and Paul Robinson (back) were not expected to be involved but Gael Givet, David Dunn, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Dickson Etuhu were surprise absentees from the travelling party. Rovers' official website said the players were "missing out through injury" but did not elaborate further. Alan Hutton could come back into the Nottingham Forest squad. Full-back Hutton, on loan from Aston Villa, missed Alex McLeish's first game as Forest boss against Crystal Palace on Saturday through illness. Hutton, signed by McLeish during his fellow Scot's short stint in charge at Villa Park, could go straight back into the starting line up if he recovers in time. McLeish has defender Brendan Moloney, midfielders Simon Gillett, Guy Moussi, Lewis McGugan and Henri Lansbury and striker Simon Cox at his disposal should he wish to make any changes to the team that started the 2-2 draw with Palace. On-loan defender Daniel Ayala is another option for McLeish. The Norwich centre-half was available against the Eagles after serving a one-match suspension but did not make the matchday squad.