Robbie Savage will be pushing for a return to Blackburn’s midfield at Middlesbrough after missing the second half of last season with a broken leg.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes may be tempted to freshen his side up against Portsmouth on Sunday at Ewood Park.

Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen returns to the squad against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Cup tomorrow following a three-match abscence with a hamstring strain.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made nine changes for this afternoon’s FA Cup fifth round clash with Blackburn as skipper Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas and Freddie Ljungberg were all recalled.

Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy’s Achilles injury has ruled him out of tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock is eligible for the UEFA Cup game against Bayer Leverkusen tomorrow even though he played in the Champions League for Liverpool.

Everton have Europe in their sights after this revenge win at Goodison Park.

Morten Gamst Pedersen will miss Blackburn’s Barclays Premiership trip to Everton tomorrow after picking up a hamstring injury on international duty with Norway that will rule him out for at least a week.

Blackburn have signed Swiss international left-back Bruno Berner from FC Basle.

Basle 2 Middlesbrough 0

Basle 2 Middlesbrough 0

SWISS manager Köbi Kuhn has voiced concern that several players are lacking match practice ahead of Saturday’s crucial Group 10 showdown against the Republic of Ireland in Basel.

SEVEN Swiss players will walk a yellow-card tightrope in Moscow on Wednesday, knowing that a booking against Russia will rule them out of the final Group 10 clash with Ireland next month.

FC BASEL midfielder Mario Cantaluppi has been ruled out of Switzerland’s crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Russia on Saturday with a foot infection.