Blackburn v Blackpool preview

Blackburn v Blackpool preview

Published Mar. 18, 2011 9:15 a.m. ET

Phil Jones could make a return to Blackburn's squad after playing 45 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday night. The England Under-21 defender has been sidelined since December after damaging knee ligaments in boss Steve Kean's first game in charge, but came through his first run-out unscathed. Skipper Ryan Nelsen is back from a one-game ban, but Kean will definitely be without defender Gael Givet, who begins a two-match suspension, while midfield duo David Dunn (hip) and Vince Grella (Achilles) were due to face fitness tests. Keith Andrews is also doubtful with a groin complaint. Blackpool welcome back talisman and captain Charlie Adam. Adam has now served his two-match ban for reaching 10 yellow cards but top scorer DJ Campbell is only midway through his three-game suspension for his sending-off at Wolves. Midfielder Elliot Grandin (hamstring) is back in contention to start, defender Craig Cathcart returns after food poisoning and striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher (hamstring) is also available. Richard Kingson will return in goal after a hamstring injury suffered during the defeat at Chelsea last time out led to fourth choice Mark Halstead being thrown into action. Other keepers Matt Gilks and Paul Rachubka (both knee) remain sidelined but the latter is close to fitness. Blackburn (from): Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson, Andrews, J Jones, MB Diouf, Santa Cruz, Pedersen, Bunn, Hanley, Emerton, Nzonzi, Grella, Benjani, Hoilett, Roberts, Kalinic, Rochina, P Jones, Dunn. Blackpool (from): Kingson, Baptiste, Carney, Phillips, Eardley, Crainey, Evatt, Southern, Puncheon, Adam, Vaughan, Reid, Ormerod, Beattie, Varney, Kornilenko, Grandin, Taylor-Fletcher, Cathcart, Sylvestre, Halstead.

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