Blackburn 3-0 Birmingham [Carling Cup] (26.09)

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Blackburn will hope to return to winning ways when they tackle Premier League rivals Birmingham in the Carling Cup.

Mark Hughes' side started the season impressively but their unbeaten run came to an end with a surprising 2-0 defeat to Greek minnows Larissa in the Uefa Cup last Thursday.

Blackburn then lost to Portsmouth in the Premier League at the weekend but Hughes is likely to resist the temptation to make many changes.

The much-vaunted strike partnership of Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz could be split up however, as Rovers have failed to score in their last three matches.

Jason Roberts and Matt Derbyshire are pushing for places up front, while defender Ryan Nelsen is still out with a hamstring injury.

Bruce set to make changes

Birmingham only scraped past Hereford in the last round but they have been in better form of late, beating Bolton and holding Liverpool in their last two matches.

Steve Bruce is expected to rotate his squad to give chances to fringe players such as Mikael Forsell and Rowan Vine.

Stuart Parnaby, Richard Kingson, Matthew Sadler, Martin Taylor, Neil Danns, Rafael Schmitz, Garry O'Connor, Gary McSheffrey and Radhi Jaidi will also come into contention.

Birmingham will be without on-loan midfielder Borja Oubina, who has been ruled out for six months after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his knee against Liverpool.

Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Blackburn – Birmingham 3-0

Bl: Bentley (66), Derbyshire (str. 82), Santa Cruz (90).