Blackburn host QPR without Samba
LONDON (SE) - Blackburn Rovers will be without talismanic centre-back Christopher Samba when they welcome Queens Park Rangers to Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon.
Both clubs are involved in the relegation scrap at the foot of the table, with Rovers second from bottom and QPR just a point outside of the drop zone, but the big talking point will be the absence of Samba following the visitors' failed bid for him in the January transfer window.
"We want to get Chris back on the pitch and make sure he's in the proper physical state," said Blackburn manager Steve Kean. "His actions as far as coming in and training - he trained really well on Monday - he's been in, he's been around the place but what happened and what was said in the window he can put behind him.
"He has been getting treatment on his hamstring and back, so unfortunately he's not available. I'm sure once we can get this injury he's got cleared up he'll be back on the pitch with the reserves to get some minutes under his belt because we want to get him back as quickly as possible.
Blackburn suffered a setback last weekend when they were on the receiving end of a 7-1 hammering at Arsenal, but Kean is hopeful of learning from the experience.
"Really it's the first time we've been turned over and turned over good and proper," said Kean. "I felt it was important not to brush that under the carpet, so we pulled that game to bits. We'll be setting the record straight and getting out of the blocks and making it tough for QPR."
QPR spent heavily in January following the appointment of new manager Mark Hughes, but just five points from their last ten games has left the club in trouble, and new man Djibril Cisse will not be available following his red card in the 2-1 defeat at Wolves.
"It is important we are really positive about every game we have from now until the end of the year," said Hughes. "There is an understanding with the guys that if we lose players to indiscipline it is going to hurt us all. We have got to keep every player on the pitch if we can, that goes without saying. "
Blackburn are without Samba, while Jason Lowe (ankle), Michel Salgado (rib) and Vince Grella (thigh) are doubtful. QPR have concerns over Heidar Helguson (groin), Danny Gabbidon (thigh), Jay Bothroyd (groin), DJ Campbell (hamstring), and Luke Young (hamstring), while Alejandro Faurlin (knee) and Kieron Dyer (ankle) remain long-term absentees.
Blackburn have never picked up fewer points at this stage of a Premier League season than their current tally of 18 and have set a league record by failing to keep a single clean sheet in their opening 24 matches. QPR have won none of their last six away from home in the league, while Lowe and Joey Barton have each been booked eight times this season - a league high.
