Nelsen out for Blackburn

Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen remains out as Rovers look to extend their six-match unbeaten run at home to Everton.

The New Zealand international was sidelined for last week’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa after being advised to rest a hamstring problem and will be out of contention for at least another week.

Matt Derbyshire is hoping to keep his place in attack after being handed only his third league start of the season at Villa Park, while Paul Gallagher has joined Stoke on loan and South African midfielder Aaron Mokoena is still away on Africa Nations Cup duty.

Team (from): Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer, Samba, Warnock, Bentley, Pedersen, Dunn, Reid, Derbyshire, Santa Cruz, McCarthy, Roberts, Berner, Khizanishvili, Olsson, Rigters, Treacy, Tugay, Brown.