Blackburn - Team News and Pre-Match Comments

By Matt Jones
January 20 2006

Team news ahead of Newcastle United's clash with Blackburn Rovers this weekend. Alan Shearer has already stated that he would much rather see his side earn three points than personally break Milburn's all time goal-scoring record - but how do the teams line up?

Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Babayaro, Bramble, Ramage, Elliott, Bramble, Boumsong, Clark, Solano, Emre, Brittain, N'Zogbia, Bowyer, Shearer, Luque, Chopra, O'Brien.

Blackburn (from): Friedel, Neill, Todd, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Matteo, Tugay, Savage, Pedersen, Dickov, Kuqi, Enckelman, Emerton, Gray, Peter, Johnson, Mokoena, Reid.

For Newcastle, Owen, Taylor, Dyer, Moore, Ameobi, Parker and Carr are all sidelined through injury, although Emre is back in contention after a hamstring problem.  Titus Bramble has also recovered from an ankle injury and may play some part in the game.  Amdy Faye is still away on international duty (African Cup of Nations).

Rovers will also have to do without key players as both Bellamy and Bentley will have to sit out the match.  Craig Bellamy misses out on his return to SJP through suspension, while Bentley is also banned.  Shefki Kuqi and Paul Dickov are likely to lead the attack for the visitors.

Andy Todd is a doubt for the game after being ill all week, while Dominic Matteo may also miss out with a bruised ankle.

Lorenzo Amorouso is yet to appear this season for Rovers through injury, Garry Flitcroft and Matt Jansen have left the club permantly, with David Thompson along with younsgers Andy Taylor and Keith Barker have left the club on loan.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes: "The crowd there will be very hostile and it is always difficult place to go.  

"Our recent form at Newcastle is not good because we've only won once there in the last six or seven outings.  

"We gave the players a few days rest and they have returned looking very sharp and better for the rest and we go to Newcastle in good heart."

Toon skipper Alan Shearer: "People will get fed up of the talk about injuries, but it is fact that we have got players out injured.

"But it is also a fact that the people who are out injured cannot help us on the pitch.

"The players who are out there have to go out and do a job. That's what we have to do tomorrow to try and get three points.

"We go out and we work our socks off every game. The one thing that can't be labelled at anyone is lack of effort.

"Sometimes there may be a lack of quality at times, but lack of effort, no. Whoever is out on the pitch is going out there and doing their best.

"We have to go out and do our best in every match. We cannot think about the players who are out, or who will be back soon and things like that.

"The players with the shirts on, the ones who cross that white line at 3pm, are the ones that are going to go and do a job."

Referee: Howard Webb

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