Martin Olsson endured a nightmare afternoon at White Hart Lane on Sunday, but insists he received the backing of boss Paul Ince after the game.

Blackburn Rovers’ Aaron Mokoena could be heading for the Ewood Park exit door after admitting he is in talks with a few clubs over a January move.

Blackburn Rovers are set to discuss the signing of versatile defender Tore Reginiussen.

Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen has promised to give it all he has got to back into Paul Inces side after falling down the pecking order at Ewood Park.

The similarities between Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz and Manchester United great Eric Cantona may notspring readily to mind, but the Paraguayans manager and former Old Trafford midfielder Paul Ince believes his striker has the same talismanic effect as the Frenchman.

It is a case of take two for Sunderland at Ewood Park on Saturday, as Roy Keanes side seek to avenge a Carling Cup defeat to what amounted to a Blackburn Rovers reserve side just four days previously.

Brett Emerton will miss at least the next two weeks of action for Blackburn Rovers after sustaining a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

Blackburn assistant boss Ray Mathias believes Vince Grella and Stephen Warnock have shown they can be the best midfield partnership in The Premier League.

This season, Blackburn haven’t scored a goal when Roque Santa Cruz has not been on the pitch. The striker has been on the pitch for 524 minutes in the league so far this season.

Brett Emerton feels Blackburn must take three points off sides such as Middlesbrough if they are to realise their ambition of challenging for a place in Europe.