Nelsen absent for Rovers

Blackburn will be without key defender Ryan Nelsen for tomorrow’s trip to Everton after he was ruled out for the rest of the season following a knee operation on Monday.

Rovers are, though, expected to have Gael Givet back after he missed the 1-1 draw with Birmingham last time out.

The Frenchman is in the midst of a contractual dispute with Rovers but manager Steve Kean feels he is now in the right frame of mind to return to action.

Blackburn’s main injury concern is over in-form forward Junior Hoilett (hamstring), who is rated as 50/50, while Keith Andrews (groin) has returned to training but is not yet match fit.

Kean could give a first start to youngster Ruben Rochina following his January transfer from Barcelona but Steven Nzonzi serves the second of a three-game ban.

Team (from): Robinson, Samba, Givet, Olsson, Salgado, J Jones, Emerton, Dunn, P Jones, Hoilett, Santa Cruz, Biram Diouf, Bunn, Roberts, Pedersen, Hanley, Kalinic, Rochina, Formica, Benjani.