Sam Allardyce is sweating on the fitness of two of his central defenders ahead of Sunday's trip to the Emrates to face Arsenal.

Both captain Ryan Nelsen and Christopher Samba are struggling with knocks sustained a week ago in the win over Aston Villa, and the manager will leave it as late as possible in the hope that they are fit for the match.

 

"We've a couple of little injuries," admitted Sam. "We've still got a concern about Chris Samba who came off towards the end of the game last week.

"It is still an ongoing problem for us which we will wait until the final hour with.

"Ryan Nelsen suffered a heavy fall with a bit of a back injury, so it is a particular concern because they are both in the same area.

"But we'll give it until the eleventh hour and I hope they make it for Sunday against Arsenal. Getting the extra 24 hours I hope will be a bit of a bonus for those two and we'll see if we can get them both fit.

"I'm confident that at least one will make it but if they don't, they don't, we'll reshuffle the pack and use the players we've got."

But whilst there is concern over Nelsen and Samba, Allardyce is relieved to call upon Gaël Givet once again.

The Frenchman missed last Saturday's Ewood win with a knee injury, but he is back and available for selection.

"Givet is okay, he's joined in training this week," added the Rovers boss. "Steven Reid picked up a little bit of an achilles problem but thats not too serious, is is just defensive worries at the moment."

Midfielder Vince Grella misses out with a one-match suspension following his sending off last week, otherwise Allardyce will select from: Robinson, Jacobsen, Samba, Nelsen, Chimbonda, Diouf, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Dunn, Di Santo, Brown, Givet, Emerton, McCarthy, Roberts, Andrews, Hoilett, Kalinic, Salgado, Olsson, Jones.