Follow every kick as Stoke City take on Blackburn Rovers at Britannia Stadium in the Premier League
on 06-Feb-2010, kick off time 15:00
Stoke City v Blackburn Rovers Live
Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers meet at the Britannia Stadium with both sides looking for a win to push even further clear of the relegation dogfight. The Potters have slipped down the Premier League table as a result of a run of just one win in nine games, with their most recent outing a drab goalless draw at Sunderland on Monday evening. However, boss Tony Pulis was content with the performance at the Stadium of Light, saying: "We're now unbeaten in five games and starting to get clean sheets. Now we must keep that kind of form going against Blackburn on Saturday." Pulis made just one move into the transfer market on deadline day, bringing in Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, although he will have to wait for his debut after Thomas Sorensen impressed against the Black Cats. Central defender Abdoulaye Faye was forced off at Sunderland due to back spasms, with Pulis upbeat about the chances of the defender recovering in time to face Rovers. If not, Andy Wilkinson is likely to deputise. Rovers head to the Potteries in good heart following two wins and a draw in their last three games, as run which has eased the fears of a relegation scrap at Ewood Park. Boss Sam Allardyce did little business on transfer deadline day, instead placing his faith in the players who have impressed in recent weeks. That includes Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic, who has netted three times in his last three games. Allardyce recently told the Lancashire Telegraph: "I'm very comfortable with the squad, we're improving. We've put ourselves in a reasonable position in the league, but we have to go further than that and continue to pick the points up." Allardyce is hopeful that injured trio David Dunn (calf), Vince Grella and Lars Jacobsen (both thigh) all shake off knocks to feature.
Source: DSG
