Tony Pulis will be up against Neil McDonald tomorrow on the touchline, as Rovers chief Sam Allardyce is recovering from heart surgery.

Ironically, Allardyce's debut as Blackburn boss came against the Potters, and now it is McDonald's first time in the hot seat at Ewood Park. 

Stoke's last visit to Blackburn saw them concede three first half goals, and slump to a 3-0 defeat. That day, Vincent Pericard and Richard Cresswell started, a partnership that Stoke fans will never be subjected to again.

Tomorrow should see Stoke starting with Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie upfront, but Mama Sidibe is on standby should Beattie fail a fitness test.

Thomas Sorensen will take his regular place between the sticks, but there is a dilemma about who to play infront of him.

Captain Abdoulaye Faye returns from suspension, but Andy Wilkinson's man of the match performance against Portsmouth has put a spanner in the works. It is of my belief though that Wilkinson will harshly lose his place, with Robert Huth reverting to right back.

Liam Lawrence is pushing for a recall in midfield, and that could mean Rory Delap misses out, with Dean Whitehead and Salif Diao likely to continue in the centre of the park.

Blackburn don't have any injury worries, and are likely to continue with Franco Di Santo and Jason Roberts upfront. However, the man to look out for is David Dunn, who is currently in a rich vein of form.

POTTERSNET PREDICTION: A scrappy display will see very few goalscoring chances, with Sorensen's late save from Dunn securing a 0-0 draw for the Potters.

Likely Team:

Thomas Sorensen
Robert Huth
Abdoulaye Faye
Ryan Shawcross
Danny Collins
Liam Lawrence
Dean Whitehead
Salif Diao
Matthew Etherington
Ricardo Fuller
James Beattie

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