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Blackburn Rovers face Reading at Ewood Park in a meeting of two sides who exceeded many observers' expectations last season. Mark Hughes insists he will take no chances with the fitness of dangerman Roque Santa Cruz, and Benni Mccarthy will start. Blackburn could move up to 4th with a victory.
Steve Coppell's side responded to their 7-4 hammering at Portsmouth earlier in the month with a 1-0 win over Derby County in the last match before the international break.
Ryan Nelsen has finally returned from injury, and will partner Samba in the centre. Roque Santa Cruz will be missing for this match.
Influential midfielders Long, Oster and Convey will be missing for Reading, and expect James Harper to stay in the side.
Santa Cruz out
Hughes, though, is adamant he will not risk Santa Cruz if he is not at full fitness.
"Roque's injury has really settled down.
"We're extremely delighted with that because it was a real worry for us," Hughes said.
"But if there's any doubt, he won't be risked.
"We'll make sure he plays when he's capable of making an impact."
4th with a win
Mark Hughes knows a victory would mean fourth spot for Blackburn: "It would be great if we could (go fourth).
We've got points on the board, and we're very hopeful," Hughes added.
"We're there on merit. We've only been beaten once."
Blackburn (from): Friedel, Enckelman, Emerton, Samba, Ooijer, Warnock, Bentley, Dunn, Savage, Pedersen, McCarthy, Derbyshire, Tugay, Mokoena, Rigters, Khizanishvili, Olsson, Brown
Reading (from): Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Cisse, Sonko, Gunnarsson, Lita, Doyle, Hunt, Oster, Kitson, Halls, Harper, Ingimarsson, Convey, Rosenior, Fae, Bikey, De La Cruz, Long, Duberry, Golbourne
Eyefootball Premiership Predictor
Blackburn 1-0 Reading
Benni Mccarthy will be looking to step up to the plate after the notable absence of Santa Cruz. However, Reading are no pushovers; but Blackburn's season has started well and expect the home side to grab another important three points.
Prediction: 1-0 to Blackburn
Goalscorer: Benni Mccarthy
Written by majicka
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