Blackburn Rovers vs Liverpool preview - Samba set for Rovers return

Posted Wednesday, January 05, 2011 by PA

Defender Christopher Samba returns from a three-match absence to captain Blackburn at home to Liverpool.

The centre-back has been out with an ankle problem but is fit to play, along with Michel Salgado who served a one-match suspension in Saturday's defeat at Sunderland.

Striker Nikola Kalinic still has two matches of his ban outstanding so he misses out against the Merseysiders, as does midfielder Brett Emerton who has joined up with Australia for their Asian Cup campaign.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson is still sidelined with a calf injury while Grant Hanley will undergo further tests after scans yesterday suggested he could have a stress fracture in his shin.

Manager Steve Kean's blueprint for Rovers appears to differ from the lofty ambitions of the club's owners as he seeks to build a solid squad while they talk about signing Ronaldinho and David Beckham.

Venky's, the India-based poultry company, are trying to lure AC Milan's Brazil international to Ewood Park with a #20million-plus three-year contract.

And while Kean is happy to "sprinkle some magic" on his squad he is more concerned with putting together a group of players who can establish the club as consistent top-10 performers.

Having had up to nine senior players unavailable to him since taking over from Sam Allardyce less than a month ago Kean requires substance over style.

"The way we are with injuries at the moment and the stability of the squad hopefully we can add four or five other players and then if we can get another big name like that (of Ronaldinho) it will be the icing on the cake," said the Rovers boss.

"Once we can get all the injured players back we can get up into a bracket where we are solid and looking to push beyond the top 10 and then you can attract players easier. If we can get stable and into the top 10 we can then look forward to the next transfer window."

Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

The Portugal international was forced off in the first half of Saturday's victory over Bolton, and although the bruising on the bone is not as bad as initially thought he will not feature at Ewood Park.

Steven Gerrard, who played a pivotal role after coming off the bench to replace Meireles, appears the most obvious replacement but manager Roy Hodgson has admitted the likes of the captain and Fernando Torres could be rested in a busy January.

Hodgson remains positive about his and the club's future, insisting he is doing his best to justify his appointment.

Despite a much-needed injury-time victory over Bolton, speculation still persists that the 63-year-old's days are numbered at Anfield.

After taking over in October - three months after Hodgson's appointment by the previous regime - owners New England Sports Ventures are believed to be exploring options for a change of manager.

Ralf Rangnick, who resigned as coach of Hoffenheim at the weekend after a difference of opinion with the club's owner, is the latest to be added to a list of potential successors.

After Saturday's win, Hodgson bemoaned the "negativity" of the conjecture about his position at the club but stressed he was able to rise above it.

"When you get given the job you climb up to the top of a greasy pole - we all do that - but at least you are on the pole and you have been given the chance," said the Reds boss, who has had to endure the Kop calling for him to be replaced by Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and faced sarcastic chants of "Hodgson for England".

"I am on an exceptionally lofty pole because the club is one of the biggest in the world and that is why when you get the job here you are so pleased you are chosen.

"I will be doing my best during the time I am working here to justify my selection and trying to get the team playing the sort of football we played against Bolton.

"But it was not just against Bolton, I can give you six or seven games where we have played as well as that.

"I can also, with no attempt at modesty, point out we have played 10 difficult games in Europe without even using the bulk of our first-team players and we have reached the last 32 of the Europa League.

"I still see a lot of things positively and my glass is absolutely half full rather than half empty at the moment.

"I am hoping in the second half of the season we will kick on, especially if there is the possibility to add a player or two in the transfer window."