Cole misses Rovers' UEFA Cup match

Andy Cole will miss Blackburn’s return to European football in the UEFA Cup match with CSKA Sofia tomorrow after failing to recover from a hamstring problem.

The striker is in contention for Leeds’ visit to Ewood Park on Sunday however, while David Thompson has shaken off a knock to take his in the squad to play the Bulgarian side.

Blackburn assistant manager Tony Parkes said: “Andy has a bit of damage to his hamstring but the medical staff say he might have a chance for Sunday.”

Cole’s absence should see Corrado Grabbi given a first start of the season. Damien Duff is still out with a thigh injury.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Friedel, Kelly, Mahon, Hignett, Flitcroft, Thompson, Dunn, Tugay, Gillespie, Taylor, Yorke, Johansson, Berg, Grabbi, Curtis, Todd, Neill, Short.