Blackburn v Newcastle

Steve Kean is looking forward to getting his side back on the pitch

TEAM NEWS

Blackburn midfielder David Dunn is expected to return after recovering from a hip injury.

Chris Samba’s involvement is in doubt after the defender handed in a transfer request last week.

Barring an appeal against an FA charge of violent conduct, Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye will be out through suspension.

But Demba Ba and new signing Papiss Cisse have returned from international duty while Fabricio Coloccini should be fit after a slight groin strain.

MATCH PREVIEW

Blackburn’s respite from the relegation zone may have proved brief but their return of seven points from the last 12 available at least suggests they might be on the road to recovery.

However, with trips to Arsenal and Manchester City among their next three games after this one, they could find themselves in a relegation cul-de-sac unless they get something from Newcastle’s visit on Wednesday evening.

Rovers should at least be fresh after having the FA Cup weekend off, although it will no doubt be a relief for Steve Kean to get back to on-pitch matters after a month of transfer speculation over his higher-profile players, including want-away captain Christopher Samba.

After stumbling through December, Newcastle appeared to be back on form with three wins from four league matches but their two most recent games have seen them thumped 5-2 by Fulham and dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship side Brighton.

To add insult to injury, influential midfielder Yohan Cabaye faces a three-match ban after being retrospectively charged with violent conduct by the FA for a challenge during the defeat at Brighton.

Manager Alan Pardew rued Newcastle’s lack of goal threat after the game but that should be eased by the unexpected early exit of Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, which will mean the swift return of top scorer Demba Ba and an early arrival for £10m signing Papiss Cisse.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• These two teams have already met three times this season – Newcastle won in the league and FA Cup but Blackburn triumphed 4-3 after extra-time in the League Cup.
• Newcastle’s win earlier this season is their only victory in the last eight league meetings with Blackburn. Rovers have won six of those, with the other a draw.
• The Magpies haven’t done the double over Blackburn since the 1990-91 season.

Blackburn

• Blackburn’s win over Fulham in their most recent home game was their first league victory at Ewood Park in four matches. However, Steve Kean’s side have taken seven points from the last 12.
• Rovers are the only side without a clean sheet in the current Premier League season.
• Blackburn have scored more league goals than Newcastle this season despite the fact that they are in the relegation zone while the Magpies are challenging for Europe.

Newcastle

• Newcastle have won just one of their last six league matches on the road.
• The Magpies have failed to find the net just once in an away league game this season – that was in the 0-0 draw at QPR in September.
• Alan Pardew’s side have been in the top half of the table all season.