Samba back for Rovers

Defender Christopher Samba returns from a three-match absence to captain Blackburn at home to Liverpool tomorrow.

The centre-back has been out with an ankle problem but is fit to play, along with Michel Salgado who served a one-match suspension in Saturday’s defeat at Sunderland.

Striker Nikola Kalinic still has two matches of his ban outstanding so he misses out against the Merseysiders, as does midfielder Brett Emerton who has joined up with Australia for their Asian Cup campaign.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson is still sidelined with a calf injury while Grant Hanley will undergo further tests after scans yesterday suggested he could have a stress fracture in his shin.

Provisional squad: Bunn, Nelsen, Samba, Givet, Olsson, Salgado, Pedersen, Linganzi, EH Diouf, Dunn, Benjani, Hoilett, MB Diouf, Doran, Morris, Lowe, Potts, Fielding.