Tugay returns for Rovers

Blackburn midfielder Tugay returned to the side after a two-game absence with a calf injury as Rovers looked for a fourth successive Barclays Premiership win at Ewood Park.

Tugay was one of three changes made to the Blackburn line-up in the wake of Wednesday’s dramatic 3-2 Carling Cup comeback win at Charlton.

Robbie Savage made way for Tugay, with Zurab Khizanishvili and Brett Emerton also dropped to the bench in favour of Lucas Neill and David Thompson, the latter starting his first game of the season after knee problems.

With Tim Cahill starting a three-match ban after being found guilty of violent conduct in last Sunday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle, Everton manager David Moyes made one enforced change, recalling Leon Osman to the side.

Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Gray, Thompson, Reid, Tugay, Pedersen, Bentley, Bellamy. Subs: Khizanishvili, Emerton, Savage, Kuqi, Enckelman.

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Neville, Osman, Arteta, Davies, Van der Meyde, Beattie, McFadden. Subs: Wright, Kroldrup, Bent, Ferguson, Kilbane.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire)