Blackburn v West Ham preview

Published Dec. 17, 2010 1:17 p.m. ET

foxsports

Rovers will begin the post-Sam Allardyce era without three key midfielders. Vince Grella (Achilles), Steven Nzonzi (hamstring) and Keith Andrews (groin) remain sidelined with long-term injuries as temporary boss Steve Kean prepares to select his first Rovers line-up. Kean has already stated his interest in replacing Allardyce on a permanent basis and will feel confident of starting with a win in this encounter with the relegation-threatened Hammers. The visitors will give fitness tests to midfielder Valon Behrami (hip) and defender Lars Jacobsen (heel) ahead of the game. Mark Noble (hip), Jack Collison and Anthony Edgar (both knee) hope to return in the New Year. Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh) and Manuel da Costa (foot) remain sidelined. Blackburn (from): Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Olsson, Emerton, Jones, Pedersen, El Hadji-Diouf, Dunn, Roberts, Bunn, Kalinic, Benjani, Hoilett, Mame Biram Diouf, Doran, Morris, Hanley. West Ham (from): Green, Ben-Haim, Upson, Spector, Faubert, Tomkins, Parker, Barrera, Cole, Stanislas, Dyer, Piquionne, Hines, Obinna, Kovac, Boa Morte, Stech, Reid, Jacobsen, Behrami.