Blackburn opt for lone striker

Blackburn striker Shefki Kuqi was asked to play the lone frontman role against Fulham at Ewood Park in the absence of both Craig Bellamy and Paul Dickov.

Bellamy is out for at least three weeks after pulling a thigh muscle in training while on international duty with Wales, while Dickov begins a three-match suspension following his dismissal in last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham.