Blackburn Rovers enter their rescheduled two-legged Carling Cup semi-final against Aston Villa with a variety of priorities to balance. Injuries and contracts are also high on the agenda of club chairman John Williams and manager Sam Allardyce.

 

With a number of players carrying knocks, the team that Allardyce will be able to put out at Ewood Park is still in doubt. Jason Roberss and Vince Grella are both definitely out whilst Gael Givet and want away striker Benni McCarthy are big doubts. With El-Hadji Diouf missing through suspension, the Rovers boss has a real headache.

Contract-wise, negotiations are ongoing in respect of thrashing out a new deal for David Dunn. Chairman William is confident that they will reach agreement and said that all parties have been positive. Allardyce himself is positive about the future despite rumours surrounding his future at Ewood Park. A heavy loss against Manchester City was not the best preparation for the cup tie but he remains optimistic. "You are bound to get some negative scenarios going around when you have not won in a while” he said “You just get on with your job and that is what I will do. I have no great concerns at all."