With the relegation battle set to go the full course, Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce knows that he will need all hands to the pump to ensure top flight survival and Premier League football next season at Ewood Park.

 

Stephen Warnock added to Allardyce’s worries, picking up an injury during Saturday’s   4-0 battering at Arsenal and with Gael Givet also suffering the after-effects of a knock and Ryan Nelson out with a thigh injury, the choice of first team regulars is becoming easier for the former Bolton and Newcastle boss for the wrong reasons.

“Injuries have devastated the squad - we need Roque Santa Cruz back; we need Vince Grella fit. We know we haven't got Stephen Reid or Brett Emerton for the rest of the season, so the others are crucial to us."

Meanwhile, Morten Gamst Pedersen has defended himself against accusations of diving during the defeat at the Emirates. The midfielder took a fall in the penalty area with no opposing player within reach but has claimed that he tripped himself up and was never looking to con the officials. Referee Phil Dowd did not book Pedersen and the player spoke to the man nearest to him during the incident, defender Bacary Sagna, to explain.  

"It wasn't a penalty and that's not what I was after," said the Norweigan, “my legs hit each other… it was definitely not a penalty.”