Match Previews

Blackburn won 2-1 at Sunderland in the weekend.... Trailing 2-0 from the 1st leg in Greece.... Ryan Nelsen (k)(def) still injured.... McCarthy (k)(att) will return.... Blackburn have their work cut out when the welcome Greek side Larissa at Ewood Park on Thursday. After an awful performance Blackburn lost 2-0 in the first leg, but they have been looking strong at the start of the season and will fancy their chances of turning the tie around. They won a comfortable 2-1 victory at Sunderland in the Premier League last Saturday, with Sunderland scoring their goal in the dying minutes. After going the long way through the Intertoto Cup manager Mark Hughes will not take any chances for this final game before the UEFA Cup group stage. This means that left winger Gamst Pedersen (k) and central midfielder Savage (r) both should return to the starting line-up after being on the bench at Sunderland. Young Mokoena (sp) has been playing well recently but should be back on the bench for this match with Savage partnering Tugay (r) in the "engine room". David Bentley did very well at right wing against Sunderland and will keep his place here unless Hughes decides to keep out striker McCarthy (k) again. McCarthy apparently missed the win at Sunderland because of a dip in form and Hughes has denied that he has fallen out with the South African. According to Hughes McCarthy has done very well in training in recent days and he is expected to return to the starting formation as Hughes declared that he will play some part in the game. Central defender Ryan Nelsen (k) is still out with the injury he picked up in the 1st leg, but Hughes has an adequate replacement in Ooijer (sp), who has performed well in recent weeks. Blackburn will put the visitors under an intense pressure from the first minute and will look for their excellent wingers to deliver the crosses for the Cruz (r) and McCarthy (k). They are used to playing in a much higher tempo than Larissa and will aim to take advantage of this.