Blackburn V West Ham at Ewood Park : Match Preview

20 February 2016 14:34
Blackburn V West Ham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Ben Marshall looking for Leicester magic at Blackburn

Ben Marshall is hoping some of Leicester's magic dust can rub off on Blackburn when they face West Ham in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.

Marshall left the Foxes to join Rovers two and a half years ago and has watched on in amazement at the achievements of his former club.

The 24-year-old winger played with the likes of Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater, both of whom are now in the England conversation, and has backed his mates to lift the Premier League title.

He said: "I do (think they'll win it). I keep in touch with a few of the lads and I think they're quite confident.

"I'm quite close to Danny Drinkwater. He's doing well and there's talk of him getting an England call-up, so I wish him all the best and hopefully he can get a Premier League title next to his name.

"When I left obviously they were still in the Championship so they've come on a lot. It's nice to watch them play and see them doing well."

While a Blackburn win over West Ham would hardly cause the same ripples that Leicester have done, it would put Rovers into the quarter-finals for the second year in a row.

Marshall has fond memories of the FA Cup having scored for Leicester against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as a 20-year-old.

He has scored three goals in the competition this season and also netted in Tuesday's 3-0 win against Fulham, which ended Rovers' run of nine league games without a win.

Marshall is one of the players trying to ensure Blackburn do not miss prolific marksman Jordan Rhodes, who joined Middlesbrough on deadline day.

"Jordan was good for us, he got his goals, but we've got lads in now who can score and hopefully they can produce and we can get something on Sunday," he said.

Loan signing Danny Graham scored his first goal for the club against Fulham but is cup-tied for this match along with midfielder Matt Grimes.

Blackburn boss Paul Lambert has a couple of other players with knocks and will check on the fitness of Hope Akpan, who missed the midweek win over Fulham through illness.

Danny Guthrie (hamstring), Lee Williamson (calf), Jason Lowe (foot) and Nathan Delfouneso (knee) remain sidelined.

Slaven Bilic has promised Darren Randolph he will play in the FA Cup final if West Ham get there.

Randolph is back-up goalkeeper to Spanish stopper Adrian at Upton Park but has been handed his chance in the cup competitions this season.

The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international made a series of fine saves as West Ham overcame Liverpool after a replay, and will keep his place at Blackburn.

And Hammers boss Bilic says Randolph will continue to be his cup keeper - hopefully all the way to Wembley.

"Randolph will definitely play," he said. "Adrian is fine with that. He is our first keeper but Randolph deserves his chance.

"Every time we have put him in goal he has done brilliantly for us. He is doing the same thing he does when he is playing for Ireland.

"It is a big privilege to have two such great goalkeepers, and I decided that Randolph will be in goal for all the FA Cup games.

"He was very good at Anfield, and also at home when we beat Liverpool he made some great saves. He deserves to be in goal."

Bilic has made the FA Cup a priority this season, even claiming he would rather lift the trophy than finish in the top four of the Premier League.

Standing between the Hammers and a place in the quarter-finals are a Rovers side 18th in the Championship.

Bilic, however, will not be taking them lightly, although he admits the Hammers should treat the tie as a genuine chance to reach the last eight.

"It will be a big test for us," he added. "They are not having a great season but they are solid, they don't concede many goals.

"No matter who you play, you are playing for the quarter-finals and that's where we want to be. The win against Liverpool will have more value if we progress in the cup.

"We have rested a few players this week and I think we are well prepared for the game.

"We'll take nothing for granted, it will be a very difficult game but we are a Premier League side, we are having a good season so far and I will be really disappointed if we don't go through."

Andy Carroll (adductor) and Enner Valencia (ankle) have joined Diafra Sakho (thigh) on the sidelines, leaving January signing Emmanuel Emenike as the only fit striker available to Bilic.

With James Tomkins (calf) and Joey O'Brien (hamstring) injured and Sam Byram cup-tied, winger Michail Antonio may have to fill in at right-back. However, midfielder Manuel Lanzini is fit after a hamstring injury.


Source: PAR