Bruce hands Irish midfielder debut at Blackburn

Steve Bruce handed 20-year-old Irish midfielder David Meyler his first-team debut today as injury-hit Sunderland looked to get back to winning ways at Ewood Park.

Meyler was one of four changes made by Bruce after the St Stephen's Day draw with Everton, with potentially his most costly absentee being hamstring injury victim Kenwyne Jones.

Seeking his side’s first win in seven league games, Rovers boss Sam Allardyce made two changes with Jason Roberts and Morten Gamst Pedersen in for Franco di Santo and Michel Salgado respectively.

Blackburn: Robinson, Chimbonda, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Hoilett, Andrews, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Roberts, McCarthy.

Subs: Brown, Jacobsen, Diouf, Olsson, Kalinic, Di Santo, Salgado.

Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Da Silva, McCartney, Henderson, Meyler, Cana, Murphy, Campbell, Bent.

Subs: Carson, Zenden, Healy, Reed, Anderson, Noble, Liddle.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)