Not exactly sterling team news

Rovers are again struggling with injuries as news filters through that both Chris Samba and Martin Olsson are out of the match with Stoke tomorrow.

Further ‘not so good information’ is provided by Ryan Nelsen not yet being ready for action – although he is due back in full first team training on Monday having trained with the reserves this week.

All this means that a back four of Jason Lowe (who returns from suspension), Grant Hanley, Scott Dann and Gael Givet is very likely due to the sheer lack of options.

Steve Kean told the official Rovers website – ‘I don’t think that Chris Samba or Martin Olsson are going to make this game.’

‘According to the physios it would be quite a big risk if they were to play in this game, we could lose them for four or five weeks so it would be a mistake to push them bearing in mind the amount of games we’ve got coming up.

‘The good news for Ryan Nelsen is that he’s back training with the Reserve as the intensity is that little bit lower with the group. He started on Thursday so he’ll be back in the first team squad on Monday.

‘Possibly a substitutes appearance against Cardiff could the his first time in a number of months that he’s got the kit on.’

Michel Salgado is touch and go for the clash after shaking off a problem with his cheekbone but still feeling his hamstring (seriously we are like the walking wounded) which means he may be rested.

This may be a blessing in disguise as watching him try to keep pace with Matthew Etherington would be quite the spectacle.

Paul Robinson however IS good to go after having his head glued as a result of last week’s heroic penalty win.

Kean commented – ‘Robbo is okay, he’s got his head glued, it isn’t stitched and he’s got a good scar to show off for being the only goalkeeper that has earned a penalty in the Premier League this season.

‘There’ll be no protective headgear as he’s keen to show his battle scars.’

Battle scars? Awesome!

Rovers will likely pick from – Robinson, Salgado, Dann, Hanley, Givet, Rochina, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Formica, Yakubu, Bunn, Lowe, Henley, Petrovic, Roberts, Goodwillie, Blackman, Slew, Vukcevic.