Blackburn v Derby preview
Tuesday 28 February 2017 13:52, UK
Midfielder Elliott Bennett is back from suspension as new Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray prepares for his first home game in charge against Derby.
Hope Akpan is still ruled out as he serves the third of a four-match suspension while Corry Evans and Gordon Greer are both still ruled out.
Elliott Ward and Tommie Hoban are both closing in on first team returns but were instead due to be involved for the club's under-23 side in midweek.
Otherwise Mowbray has no new injury worries as he looks to build momentum following Saturday's battling 1-1 draw at Burton.
Derby captain Richard Keogh is a doubt ahead of the trip to Ewood Park.
The Republic of Ireland international was withdrawn with a calf injury early in the second half of the defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday, while fellow centre-half Jason Shackell missed the game due to a back problem and he will also be checked on.
The Rams, whose play-off hopes have faded on the back of their current five-match winless run, have a few other players nursing niggles following the weekend.
However, midfielder Bradley Johnson will be back in the squad on Tuesday night after he was absent against Villa due to personal reasons.
Opta stats
Blackburn are winless in three home league games against Derby (D2 L1) since a 2-0 win in April 2013.
Derby have only lost one of their last seven league encounters with Rovers (W3 D3) though that defeat came earlier this season.
Blackburn's last three Championship goals have all been scored by opposition players. They've benefitted from four own goals this season, more than any other Championship team has.
The Rams have won their last five away games on a Tuesday in all competitions, including each of the last four without conceding a goal.
Darren Bent has scored six goals in his last seven Championship games, but has failed to score in his last two (as have Derby).
Prutton's prediction
It's been a strange time for Derby. There are similarities with Aston Villa in terms of the change of manager, a good run of form and then hitting the buffers.
You would presume the squad is in decent shape but it hasn't been going for them in recent weeks. The Villa defeat was a case in point.
Blackburn are yet to click this season but they have an added impetus to impress their new manager Tony Mowbray. You feel they will always score goals, it's their defence that has been the problem.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (Sky Bet 17/2)
