McCarthy set for Rovers return

Blackburn will have top scorer Benni McCarthy available following suspension for the Barclays Premiership match against Liverpool at Ewood Park on St Stephen's Day.

Shabani Nonda, who scored twice in the 6-2 defeat at Arsenal, is a slight concern with a hip problem.

Defender Zurab Khizanishvili (groin) could return to the squad after his recent injury lay-off.

Provisional Squad: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Ooijer, Gray, Emerton, Savage, Kerimoglu, Pedersen, Bentley, Nonda, McCarthy, Brown, Derbyshire, Mokoena, Henchoz, Peter, Khizanishvili.