Allardyce: Boosted by win
Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce is optimistic he will soon be back in the dug-out as he prepares to undergo heart surgery.
Allardyce has been booked in this week for an angioplasty, which will widen one of his arteries after he recently complained of chest pains.
He watched Blackburn's 2-0 win at former club Bolton Wanderers at home and will also miss the upcoming Premier League games against Fulham and Stoke City.
However, he is expecting to resume control of team affairs in time for Rovers' Carling Cup quarter-final encounter with Chelsea a week on Wednesday.
"I'm optimistic I'll be back to work soon," Allardyce told The Sun.
"I'm delighted we got the three points and a clean sheet. It certainly made me feel better.
"I was pleased with our performance."
A David Dunn strike and Sam Ricketts own goal secured the win for Rovers and the first points the club have picked up away from home this season.

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 10th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Blackburn vs Hull |
| Monday 22nd February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Blackburn vs Bolton |
| Sunday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Liverpool vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 6th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 13th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Tottenham vs Blackburn |
| Sunday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Blackburn vs Chelsea |
| Sunday 28th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Burnley vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 3rd April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 10th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 17th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Everton |
| Saturday 24th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 1st May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 9th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Blackburn |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 3 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 30th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 1 Wigan | |
| Wednesday 20th January | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Aston Villa 6 - 4 Blackburn | |
| Sunday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 0 Fulham | |
| Thursday 14th January | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Blackburn 0 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 11th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 4 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 2nd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Aston Villa 3 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Monday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 2 Sunderland | |
| Saturday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 19th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 2 Tottenham | |
| Tuesday 15th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 2 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 Liverpool | |
| Wednesday 2nd December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Blackburn 3 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 Stoke | |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 3 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 0 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Everton | 24 | 32 |
| 11 | Stoke City | 24 | 30 |
| 12 | Blackburn Rovers | 25 | 28 |
| 13 | Sunderland | 25 | 26 |
| 14 | Wigan Athletic | 24 | 24 |
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