Premier League preview: Blackburn v West Brom

Blackburn host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as manager Steve Kean continues to try and turn Rovers’ season around.

Blackburn are second from bottom in the English Premier League with 10 points and have won only once in their last 10 league matches, when Yakubu scored four times to help them to a 4-2 home victory over Swansea on December 3.

After losing 2-1 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light through an injury-time goal from Seb Larsson on Sunday, Blackburn will have to deal with a spate of injuries if they are to take points off West Brom, who are five points ahead in 15th place.

Right-back Jason Lowe suffered a concussion against Sunderland while defender Gael Givet was taken off with heart palpitations, meaning Kean mya have to start youngster Adam Henley in place of the Frenchman if he cannot recover in time for West Brom.

Martin Olsson replaced Givet against Sunderland but is out against West Brom after coming off with a hamstring injury at half-time.

With Michel Salgado out after suffering suspected cracked ribs, Kean will likely go with Grant Hanley in place of the Spaniard.

Captain Ryan Nelsen is back in full training after his long-term knee injury, which may give Blackburn the opportunity to return to their first-choice central defensive pairing of the New Zealander alongside Christopher Samba.

French midfielder Steven N’Zonzi and Spanish striker Ruben Rochina are also likely to be fit, along with Canadian striker Junior Hoilett.

West Brom have won just once in their last six league matches, with that triumph coming in a 2-1 home win over bottom-side Bolton Wanderers on November 19.

In their last outing, they gave up the lead before losing 2-1 at home to lowly Wigan on Saturday.

With midfielder Zoltan Gera out for the season, Chris Brunt has stepped up in midfield and will be looking to add to his season tally of four assists.

Striker Peter Odemwingie is finally back from injury and was lively against Wigan. Manager Roy Hodgson will be hoping the Nigerian can build on his two goals for the season.

West Brom’s front line are having a lean spell this season, having scored only 14 goals so far – a paltry number compared to Blackburn’s 22.

Right-back Steven Reid – a former Blackburn player – scored his first goal of the campaign with a free-kick against Wigan and is confident the goals will flow for West Brom soon.

“We are still creating chances but unfortunately we couldn’t stick them away – but I’m sure it will come,” Reid said.

“We’re fighting for mid-table and below and I’m sure we will put a run of games together where we get a run of results. Hopefully it will come sooner rather than later.”