Blackburn v Hull preview

Published Aug. 21, 2012 3:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

Blackburn boss Steve Kean will have Ruben Rochina at his disposal again for the visit of Hull.

The striker missed the 1-1 draw at Ipswich on the opening day because of a hamstring injury.

It was thought the clash with the Tigers may be too soon for him too, but the Spaniard has recovered in time to give Kean a boost.

Captain Danny Murphy will also be available despite complaining of tightness in his calf earlier in the week.

Full-back Martin Olsson is yet to return to training from his groin injury so the Sweden international misses out, as does back-up goalkeeper Mark Bunn, who is sidelined following a hip operation.

Midfielder Steven Nzonzi will again be left out in the cold after declaring his desire to leave while summer signing Leon Best is a long-term absentee with a knee injury.

Hull manager Steve Bruce has hinted he will shuffle his pack to cope with the physical presence of Blackburn at Ewood Park.

The Tigers boss enjoyed a winning start in his first npower Championship match in charge, as they beat Brighton 1-0 thanks to a goal from substitute Jay Simpson.

The performance of Simpson and the other replacements, coupled with a lack of match-fitness for a number of his players, has given Bruce food for thought ahead of their clash with Rovers.

Forward Matty Fryatt (Achilles) remains Hull's only injury absentee, but Corry Evans, Paul McShane and Alex Bruce will be hoping to force their way into the manager's thoughts.

"In terms of Wednesday, I think we will need to change slightly in terms of personnel," Bruce told Hull's official website.

"Going to Blackburn on a Wednesday night, we need to be physically ready for the challenge that they're going to throw at us."