McCarthy expected to return

Benni McCarthy is expected to return to Blackburn’s starting line-up for tomorrow night’s FA Cup fifth round replay against Arsenal at Ewood Park.

The 15-goal striker was left on the substitutes’ bench for Sunday’s 3-0 Barclays Premiership win over Portsmouth in order to protect his fitness for the clash with the Gunners.

Youngster Matt Derbyshire is most likely to make way up front while boss Mark Hughes’ only doubt is defender Chris Samba, whom he expects to recover from inflammation on his knee.

Team (from): Friedel, Emerton, Henchoz, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Samba, Todd, Warnock, Berner, Bentley, Tugay, Mokoena, Dunn, Pedersen, McCarthy, Roberts, Nonda, Brown, Derbyshire, Gallagher.