Blyth v Blackburn preview

Non-league side hunting for FA Cup upset

Last updated: 5th January 2009

Blyth v Blackburn preview

Allardyce: Set to make changes

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Blyth Spartans go in search of a huge FA Cup upset as they entertain Blackburn on Monday evening.

Blackburn have improved since the appointment of Sam Allardyce as manager but they remain in the bottom three in the Premier League.

Allardyce has insisted that his priority is avoiding relegation and he is set to take the opportunity to rotate his squad.

However, he has warned his men not to underestimate Blyth, having suffered a shock defeat against Slough during his playing days with Millwall.

Allardyce will be without suspended defenders Andre Ooijer and Ryan Nelsen, while David Dunn (hamstring) and Roque Santa Cruz (calf) are still out injured.

Vince Grella, Johann Vogel and Danny Simpson are all likely to return to the Rovers side.

Great chance

Blyth are currently languishing in 21st place in Blue Square North but they have already claimed the scalps of Shrewsbury and Bournemouth in the FA Cup this season.

Chairman Tony Platten is confident of springing another surprise, saying: "The Blackburn players won't know what to expect with a tight little ground, packed to the rafters, a pitch that is not to Premier League standard and a changing room that isn't anywhere near the standard of the Premier League's palatial changing rooms.

"All things being equal, we've got a great chance."

Alex White could make his Blyth debut provided the paperwork for his move from Stranraer goes through.

Manager Harry Dunn has striker Robert Dale available again after a ban but Ged Dalton, who scored the winner in the second round, is a doubt with a shin injury.

Chris McCabe (hamstring), Alex Gildea (hamstring) and Andrew Wright (rib) are also struggling to be fit.